The daughter of the popular late R&B singer Donny, husky voiced
Lalah Hathaway is the perfect foil for
Joe Sample's compelling notion that
The Song Lives On. Finding a happy medium between the graceful straight-ahead jazz trio vibe of his
Invitation album and the plucky pop energy of
Spellbound,
Sample provides
Hathaway on seven of the 11 tunes with a showcase for her sultry approach.