Kaylene Peoples - My Man (2015)

Tracklist

01. Take Five
02. Mon Homme (feat. Mark Hammond)
03. Spain (feat. Bunny Brunel)
04. Nature Boy
05. So Nice (Summer Samba)
06. Time Traveler (feat. Bobby Lyle)
07. Stormy Weather
08. Giant Steps (feat. Hubert Laws, Bobby Lyle & Bunny Brunel)
09. The Man I Love
10. Blue Rondo a La Turk
11. Smile (Souris)
12. Tisket a Tasket
13. My Man

What do Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, and Ella Fitzgerald all have in common? Songs they made popular are making an appearance on MY MAN, the new CD by jazz singer and flutist Kaylene Peoples. Peoples has done it again by taking well-known classics and breathing new life into them. She gives them brand new, modern day arrangements, while still keeping the tradition of an acoustic jazz quintet. There’s nothing new about this set up except the fact that Peoples impresses you with her broad range of vocal styles and unparalleled flute chops. But MY MAN doesn’t just stop there; a special guest performance by three-time Grammy nominee flutist Hubert Laws, Grammy nominee fusion bassist Bunny Brunel, and multi-Platinum selling and Emmy nominee pianist Bobby Lyle share the spotlight on Kaylene’s unique arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” –a first-time recording together by the three legendary performers.

If you are a fan of Dave Valentin, Ian Anderson, or Herbie Mann, you’re going to love the flute on this album. Kaylene does a haunting rendition of “Nature Boy” as she plays a ritualistic solo instrumental opening, taking you back to native roots. The song is melancholy, just as Nat King Cole had intended it be when he did the first recording of the tune. “Nature Boy” is a classic that is one of the most recorded songs in history. It’s not easy to create new versions that can do it justice. Kaylene not only does it justice, but she enhances that beautiful melody (which has made this song famous) and takes us on a serious trip to the unknown with her unique version. Featured guitarist Mark Hammond does an answer/call with Kaylene’s flute in the instrumental section, creating a brilliant and sensitive moment. And it’s those types of moments that have become a trademark of MY MAN.

Care to be inspired? Check out “Spain,” featuring Bunny Brunel (who played with Chick Corea for almost ten years); Brunel plays a mind-blowing bass solo. More exciting tunes on MY MAN are “Take Five,” “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” and “Tisket a Tasket.” Bobby Lyle wrote a special song titled “Time Traveler,” especially for this album. It features Kaylene’s flute and crosses over to mainstream, while still being an acoustic creation. Kaylene does a tribute to Lena Horne with her version of “Stormy Weather.” She really shows her 5-octave vocal range on this tune. Smoldering vocals, lush, yet retro 50s-inspired string arrangements, and shredding guitar leads by Rich Mouser, makes this version of “Stormy Weather” the most unique yet.

KAYLENE PEOPLES MY MAN is a diverse musical novel. MY MAN promises to deliver that emotional satisfaction you crave as a listener. It promises to awaken your inner child, letting you escape from the day-to-day grind we all have to go through. MY MAN is thoughtful, exciting, inspiring, and addictive. From it’s beautiful versions of “Smile (Souris)” sung in English and French to the title track “My Man,” Kaylene Peoples incorporates her lush “live” string arrangements to bring these power ballads to life.

“MY MAN is all about inspirations and God-given talent. It’s delivering a performance that’s authentic and transparent; and doing it to your highest excitement. No fear. No reproach. No judgment! That is what I want to achieve with this album . . . an exposing experience that lets you peak into my world for 64 minutes, the duration of this CD. My wish is that you will be as inspired as I have been! I guess it’s no coincidence that on my first day of recording this album (over 3 years ago), I discovered Barbra Streisand was recording in the room next to mine. I took that as a sign that ‘my’ title MY MAN (a song made famous by Streisand) was meant to be!” –Kaylene Peoples (Quoted from the booklet inside the MY MAN CD).

Musicans who played on KAYLENE PEOPLES MY MAN: Mark Hammond, Del Atkins, Bunny Brunel, Bobby Lyle, Hubert Laws; Milen Kirov, Kevin Flournoy, Vernell Brown, Jr., Ryo Okumoto, Rich Mouser; Leon Bisquera, Nathan Brenton, Eric Brenton, Oscar Seaton, Cory Mason, Brandino, and Tony Moore.

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