Rigmor Gustafsson - Close To You (2004)

Personnel: Rigmor Gustafsson (vocals); Jacky Terrasson (piano, grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Nils Landgren (trombone); Sean Smith (double bass); Eric Hartland (drums, percussion); Jamire Williams (drums).

Jazz fans may decide to investigate Swedish singer Rigmor Gustaffson because of her choice of pianist Jacky Terrasson to lead her rhythm section. Unfortunately, her decision to salute Dionne Warwick leaves the date coming off more like a vehicle for a pop singer, with a jazz-flavored rhythm section doing its best to make things interesting. Gustaffson stays on pitch, though she has problems keeping up with the rhythm at times. But songs like Burt Bacharach's "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Walk on By," and "What the World Needs Now" aren't in danger of becoming standards in the jazz world, while her interpretations won't make anyone forget Warwick's famous recordings of them. Even worse is lightweight material like Luther Vandross' "So Amazing" (with the musicians stuck providing a bland vocal backing chorus) and the equally forgettable "Much Too Much." In spite of a valiant effort by Terrasson and the band, which includes bassist Sean Smith, drummer Eric Harland, and trombonist Nils Landgren, bypass this disappointing CD. ~ Ken Dryden