Victor & Penny - Electricity (2016)

Here’s an album that reminds you how fun jazz can actually be. Erin McGrane sings and strums the ukulele, Jeff Freling sings along while picking the guitar, and along with The Loose Change Orchestra of James Isaac/reeds, Rick Willoughby/b, Kyle Dahlquist/tb and some cameo guests, they deliver originals and covers with an infectious joy. McGrane has a wonderful earnestness while the riffs abound on pieces like “Day Off Boogie” and the hot jazz “More In Store” as Isaac plays it with spice on the latter with his soprano sax, while his clarinet is playful on the title track. Freling goes bohemian with Paton Goskie’s violin on the gypsy swinger “Moon Over Bourbon Street” and without any vocals, the band romps on “Penny’s Bounce” with incessant strumming. McGrane knows how to cozy up to you as she slides up beside you on “Hide , Seek” as well as sitting by the fireplace on “Say Goodbye.”~ by George W. Harris