2014-04-06
Hong Kong's Ginger Kwan serves up themes of hope and inspiration on her debut, Kwantum Leap. Smooth jazz backs this vocalist's buoyant lyrics, occasionally delving into reggae ("I Keep In the Line") and bossa nova ("Someday"). All the songs here are original compositions except for the cover of Simply Red's "Your Mirror"; a song with a positive message supported by simple acoustic guitar and finger-snapping. Ms. Kwan's vocals here are lovely, the musicianship is spot-on, and the production is top-notch. It all comes off as rather bland, however. If you like easy-listening vocal jazz that doesn't take risks, you might like this one. Rebecca Ruth
ALICIA MENNINGA
Renewal
ELVIS COSTELLO AND ALLEN TOUSSAINT (“Two-SAHN-t”)
The River in Reverse
CHRISTIAN HOWES
Southern Exposure
BILLY BANG QUINTET FEATURING FRANK LOWE
Above & Beyond: Live in Grand Rapids
GIACOMO GATES
Luminosity
Bill Charlap Trio
Somewhere: The Music of Leonard Bernstein
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