Karrin Allyson - Azure-Te (1995)

On piano: Paul Smith, Laura Caviani; on trumpet & flugelhorn: Stan Kessler, Mike Metheny; on bass: Bob Bowman, Gerlad Spaits; Todd Strait, drums: Rod Fleeman, acoustic guitar; Danny Embrey, electric guitar; Kim Park , alto & tenor saxaphones; Randy Weinstein, harmonica.

Karrin Allyson is one of the best jazz singers to emerge in the 1990s. She is a masterful scatter, as she shows on some of these selections (including "How High the Moon" and "Yardbird Suite"), but she is also quite expressive on ballads (including "Blame It on My Youth" and "Some Other Time"). The strong backup musicians (a variety of top Kansas City players with guest spots for violinist Claude Williams and flügelhornist Mike Metheny) keep the music swinging. Highly recommended. ~Scott Yanow