Janice Borla's second Blujazz CD continues the adventurous, risk-taking approach of her first disc for the label. With a fine supporting cast of musicians on hand, including trumpeter/flügelhornist Art Davis, guitarist John McLean, pianist Dan Haerle, bassist Bob Bowman, and drummer Jack Mouse, she immediately signals her intent with an innovative treatment of "Alone Together" that also features some fine scatting, though the excessive overdubbed backing vocals in its finale are a bit much. How many singers attempt to perform Charlie Parker's "Segment"? Her scat vocal in a brisk setting is right on the money with the instrumentalists. She's just as comfortable scatting modern works like John Scofield's funky "I'll Take Les" or Kenny Wheeler's demanding ballad "Gentle Piece," which showcases Davis' mellow flügelhorn. Her composition "Askew in the Cradle" is no less demanding and this wild blues, which evolved from a practice routine, is also an impressive performance. Janice Borla clearly deserves far wider recognition with this release.
© Ken Dryden /TiVo