Jacintha Lush Life CD

Dmitri Matheny (flugelhorn); Anthony Wilson (guitar); Darek Oles (bass); Joe LaBarbera (drums).

This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.

This is Jacintha's third album for Groove Note, and her first with strings. Very popular in her native Singapore, she's beginning to get a worldwide reputation, and this release demonstrates why: Her voice is lovely, with clear diction and expressive, naturalistic phrasing. She draws the listener into a warm intimacy from the first track, "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams," a rarely covered and beautiful song with the perfect "rainy night in Paris" ambience supplied by Frank Marocco on accordion. Other highlights include a bluesy but refreshingly non-wailing "Black Coffee," with a fine, understated solo by Bill Cunliffe on piano; he's also good on the silky bossa "Manha de Carneval," where Anthony Wilson's melodic plucking contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the strings. Another unusual but happy choice, "When We Were Young," showcases the superb flügelhorn of Dmitri Matheny, which enhances four other tracks as well. Eight of the ten selections are ballads and, since Jacintha delivers her message straight and serene, the overall feel is quiet, sultry, and relaxing. After slooow readings of "The Shadow of Your Smile," "Lush Life," and "September Song," Joe LaBarbera's brushes and drum accents on "Harlem Nocturne" provide a welcome texture and pulse. The surprise of the CD is the startlingly original, soaring introduction to the vastly overplayed "Summertime," where Cunliffe's string arrangement evokes both Gershwin and modern French composers. This is excellent late-night listening; the local male vote was "mesmerizing." ~ Judith Schlesinger

This is another set of sensual female jazz vocals from Jacintha, who is backed this time around by a full string section. This wonderfully recorded CD features great solos from guitarist Anthony Wilson & flugelhorn player Dmitri Matheny.

Dmitri Matheny (flugelhorn); Frankie Marocco (accordion); Anthony Wilson (guitar); Darek Oles (bass); Joe LaBarbera (drums).

Includes liner notes by David Morrell.

Recorded at Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, California on August 24 & 25, 2001.

Personnel: Jacintha (vocals); Anthony Wilson (guitar); Amy Shulman (harp); John Wittenberg, Gina Kronstadt, Norm Hughes, Peter Kent, Susan Chatman (violin); Virginia Frazier, Renita Koven (viola); Frank Marocco (accordion); Dmitri Matheny (flugelhorn); Bill Cunliffe (piano); Joe La Barbera (drums).

Audio Mixer: Michael C. Ross .

Liner Note Author: David Morrell.

Recording information: OceanWay Recording, Hollywood, CA (08/24/2001-08/27/2001).

Photographers: Joseph d'Alessio; David Tan.

Personnel includes: Jacintha (vocals); Bill Cunliffe (arranger, piano);