Jerri Winter - Somebody Loves Me (2014) [Hi-Res]

Jerri Winters' lone Bethlehem date pairs the singer with the Al Belletto Sextet, whose lively, no-frills performance proves a sympathetic match with Winters' smoky vocals. While Winters' stint with Stan Kenton proved her aptitude for navigating bold, progressive arrangements, Somebody Loves Me places her in a series of simple but engaging settings that showcase the full range of her talents -- a wonderfully idiosyncratic but immediately accessible singer with sass and wit to spare, she puts an indelible stamp on material like "Ridin' on the Moon," "Dark Shadows," and "Sometimes I'm Happy." The Belletto band's contributions are no less impressive, proving that straight-ahead jazz can be just as colorful and dynamic as its edgier siblings. -- Jason Ankeny