Soesja Citroen - Here and Now (2021)

Soesja Citroen joined the Challenge roster with Here and Now, which was produced by the Dutch label's in-house producer, Chris Ellis. A veteran jazz producer, Ellis was known for having great instincts when it came to singers, and he does well by Citroen on this album. Joined by pianist Cees Slinger, bassist Jan Voogd, and drummer Arnoud Gerritse, the singer is in good-to-excellent form on selections that range from Dave Frishberg's sexy "Peel Me a Grape" and Stix Hooper's bluesy "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" to well-known standards like "But Beautiful" and "My Shining Hour." Jarmo Hoogendijk, a talented Dutch trumpeter, joins Citroen on four of the CD's 12 songs, including "Peel Me a Grape," "Old Devil Moon," and Duke Ellington's "The Lonely Ones." Thankfully, Here and Now would not be the last time Citroen and Ellis would work together. ~ Alex Henderson