Etta Jones - Something Nice (1994)

It's surprising that this recording, coming on the heels of Etta's most successful release, "Don't Go to Strangers," was so lean and mean in terms of production values. Etta's voice during her years with Prestige deserves at the very least the support of some of the era's top jazz instrumentalists if not full-scale orchestral arrangements by a Mandell or Riddle. On the other hand, she has such a natural gift that her voice can practically create the magic without benefit of lavish support. An unfamiliar song like "Through a Long and Sleepless Night" is instantly warm and accessible whereas an old chestnut like "Almost Like Being in Love" sounds so fresh a listener is apt to greet it as a new discovery. She literally redesigns melodies and reshapes the meanings of lyrics as few other singers.

Etta is the quintessential "jazz singer," every bit as deserving of the title as an Ella, Sarah or Billie. I wish that like Ella and Sarah there were more recordings of her working live with a mere back-up trio during this time, if only for some relief from the Van Gelder studio sound and for more interaction between the audience and a singer who is at her best creating "in the moment." Don't put this one ahead of "Strangers," "Lonely and Blue," or "Love Shout," but add it to the list of essentials. Any Etta Jones' recording on Prestige is five stars without a second thought. ~Samuel C.