Carmen McRae - Can't Hide Love (2018)

This is the type of session that killed Blue Note the first time around. Carmen McRae gamely tries to interpret unsuitable and inferior pop tunes ("The Man I Love" and "A Child Is Born" are the only exceptions) and is backed by an all-star but faceless orchestra that is given nothing to do. The trumpet section (which includes Buddy Childers, Bobby Shew, Al Aarons, Snooky Young, Oscar Brashear and Blue Mitchell) is not given a single solo. The title cut is quite ludicrous and songs such as "Only Women Bleed" and "I Wish You Well" do not fit McRae's style at all. Pass on this one and get her earlier Deccas or her later Novus releases instead. -- Scott Yanow