Zena James - Captivated (2010)

Tracklist

01. Captivated
02. Gypsy in My Soul
03. Human Nature
04. That Sunday, That Summer
05. You Move Me
06. Dangerous Game
07. Shadows
08. Some Cats Know
09. I Can Only Be Me
10. You Make Me Wanna
11. That Old Black Magic
12. Comes Love

Zena James was profiled in January JJ, where I sang the praises of her soulful unpretentiousness and solid musicianship. One may look for flaws here, but there are none, despite the exposed setting for the voice. The disc reminds us of the persistent appeal of the blues and gospel roots of jazz, presenting fresh interpretations that draw on the inspiration of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, two musicians noted for their intuitive use of rich jazz harmony. James and arrangers Taggart and Bradley bend a wide range to their unifying purpose, including Dangerous Game (a Thunderbirds theme rendered in fine Latin), and five jazz standards rearranged without awkwardness as modern soul grooves. Very few jazz followers could argue soundly with the outcome or James’s ever persuasive voice.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]