Carmen McRae - Carmen McRae (Remastered 2014) (2026) [Hi-Res]

Carmen McRae is a 1955 album by Jazz singer Carmen McRae. It was McRae's second album and was released on the Bethlehem label exclusively as 10" monoaural LP. The album was reissued on LP in 1976 as The Finest of Carmen McRae: You'd Be So Easy to Love, with an additional track, "Too Much in Love to Care".

"This is Carmen McRae's first recording as a leader. She's heard on four songs apiece with the Mat Mathews Quintet (a group including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, and guitarist Mundell Lowe) and clarinetist Tony Scott's Quartet. On the emotional "Misery," Scott switches to piano and is the only accompanist to the singer. Five alternate takes augment this set, which emphasizes ballads. Overall the music is pleasing but not too memorable and one wishes there were more variety." (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Carmen McRae, vocals
Herbie Mann, flute, tenor saxophone (tracks 1–4)
Mat Mathews, accordion (tracks 1–4)
Mundell Lowe, guitar (tracks 1–4)
Wendell Marshall, double bass (tracks 1–4)
Kenny Clarke, drums (tracks 1–4)
Tony Scott, clarinet, piano (on "Misery") (tracks 5–8)
Dick Katz, piano (tracks 5–8)
Skip Fawcett, double bass (tracks 5–8)
Osie Johnson, drums (tracks 5–8)

Digitally remastered