Ginger Berglund - Haven't We Met? (2000)

This collection of well-executed standards puts its best face forward with its opening track, "Amazonas," where both Ginger Berglund and her backing band show that they can stretch out and add a little creativity to their straight-ahead bop-influenced music. The next track, the bright and sparkling "Unit 7," is also one of the disc's highlights, showing off the lightness and energy that Berglund is capable of projecting. From that point forward, though, the disc is a mixed bag. "Haven't We Met," featuring a guest appearance by Kenny Rankin, is a sweet, pleasing confection and "Autumn Leaves" displays Berglund's strengths as a ballad singer. However, a leaden "Waters of March" could use an infusion of some of the energy that made "Unit 7" so charming. Overall, though, this is a pleasant collection that makes the most of Berglund's voice.