Thisbe Vos - Sophistication (2011)

Sophistication is the aptly titled, debut solo CD of LA-based vocalist, composer, and producer, Thisbe Vos. The album is a well honed collection of classics from “the American song book” and original compositions. Vos together with a sextet of veteran L.A. session musicians Henry Franklin (acoustic bass), Gary Matsumoto & Larry Flahive (acoustic piano), Donald Dean (drums), Nolan Shaheed (trumpet), George Harper (sax), Geoff Nudell (clarinet) weave a sonic tapestry worthy of the term classic.
The silky and elegant vocals of Vos are a wonderful fit with the classic selections like Gershwin’s, “Baby Won’ You Please Come Home” and “A Foggy Day” (in London Town). While the original tunes are so well crafted and superbly executed, they’ll have you checking the liner notes to tell the originals from the classics. The title track, “Sophistication,” may be the best testament to her abilities as a composer and lyricist, but the seductive interplay between Vos’ vocals and Harper’s sax on “When I Come to You,” makes it a personal favorite of the six original compositions.
From the slow-tempo take on the classic, “My Favorite Things” to the first song Vos ever wrote, an up-tempo piece called “Pordenone,” it is a refreshing sonic experience and an album worthy of its title – Sophistication.