Domingo 17 Jun 2007, 16:38
Smooth Jazz? You bet. "Lite FM?" Gotcha covered.
That's where this one is headed. My pick is Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love," but there are at least a half-dozen tracks on this disc that would be suitable for the playlist. This second release out of the chute for Sophie Milman is even better than the first - and the first was a surprisingly tough act to follow.
This one has a little more polish - it's more lush than the last one. But that's to be expected, too. The first disc sort of came out of nowhere, a bare-bones outing that ended up topping Canadian Jazz charts, and breaking very nicely into the US market, as well.
Randy Bachman (Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive) joins the group for a cover of his late sixties top-40 hit, "Undun." Other favorites of mine from the disc include "People Will Say We're In Love," along with the title track, "Make Someone Happy," and an original from Producer Steven MacKinnon and Singer/Songwriter Marc Jordan - "Something in the Air Between Us."
These standards are anything but standard - Montreal musician (sax and flute) Cameron Wallis has done a fine job with most of the arrangements, and Ms. Milman's ability to swing 'em with confidence is a mark of maturity one expects from someone beyond her 24-or-so years. Clunkers? Yes, you can't take the kinds of chances Ms. Milman does and not have a misstep or two. "It's Not Easy Being Green" is perhaps better left to amphibians.
But I'm being picky. It's a small blemish on a disc that so clearly continues the trajectory that lifted off more than two years ago with Ms. Milman's first recording. Two years ago, I wrote, "The best way to market this young woman is to point people to her website, and hand them a freebie."
I can point you to a pair from the first album - and I'll add that this disc - in its strongest moments - is even better. A single track - "So Long, You Fool" from this disc is available as a free download from Ms. Milman's website.
I'm pleased to report that Ms. Milman's career appears to be coming along nicely. She was a business student at the University of Toronto when all of this began. The education should come in very handy.
This one needs more airplay south of the border. Go listen. Then call your local Jazz (smooth or otherwise) or Adult Contemporary radio station, and tell them about it.
Very highly recommended.
***1/2 Three and One-Half Stars (out of four)
girlsingers.org/17Jun07