Ethel Ennis - If Women Ruled the World (1998)

This is a historic release on two levels. It was one of the first recordings of new jazz for Savoy in a couple decades (unfortunately the label's venture into recording new music did not last long) and it was singer Ethel Ennis' first recording in quite some time. For this project, she interprets a dozen songs written by women, ranging from "God Bless the Child" and "Willow Weep for Me" to more recent songs by Joan Osborne, Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Carole King, and herself ("Hey You"). The performances range from swinging pieces to folk music with Ennis assisted by pianist Marc Copland, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, guitarist John Abercrombie, soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom, and a couple different rhythm sections. This is a fine effort, making one wish that Ethel Ennis would record much more often. ~Review by Scott Yanow