Deborah J. Carter: 'Round Moonlight (2003)

Javier AQ Ortiz

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2001

JAQO's bohemian life eventually led to jazz...

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Published: December 8, 2003

Deborah J. Carter is a nomad whose international singing career lies beyond her native North America. Bluesy inflections, jazzy phrasing, and a mid-range earthy tone keep her busy in vocal jazz circuits from Spain into Central Europe.

Carter's interpretive framework in her second release is the trio format, although various guest musicians fortify the recording. The welcoming sense of intimacy afforded by Carter's singing is never lost, nonetheless. Her tribute to Carmen Lundy in "The Lamp Is Low illustrates the latter point rather well. After a straight up piano-vocal duo head, the trio cascades into action for Carter's bouncy scatting and ensuing rhythmic happy-go-lucky choruses. Indeed, Carter's style and delivery could very well be compared with Lundy's. Both, however, remain distinctive and enjoyable entities in spite of their commonalities.

"The Late Late Show is a swinging boppish vehicle for the trio's musical versatility. Although remaining within mainstream jazz territories, the musicians also outsorce Brazilian motifs. 'Round Moonlight is a rather generous recording in length, tempos, hints and steady jazz vocals from a woman in her vocal and intellectual prime. Her arranging and writing is as fine as the players that accompany her, who know how to support a vocalist in enriched and unobtrusive ways.

Track Listing: 1. Moonlight 5:06 2. ?Round Moonlight 4:56 3. Monks? New Tune 4:48 4. Moonflower 6:24 5. The Lamp Is Low 6:19 6. Feels Like Summer 3:26 7. Autumn Nocturne 5:21 8. Wintertime 3:51 9. Sister Moon 5:33 10. La Luna (Moonriver) 4:24 11. Moondance 4:43 12. Where Is Love/Body And Soul 6:56 13. The Late Late Show 3:19 14. Lovers? Hushaby 4:01

Personnel: Deborah J. Carter: Vocals. Coen Molenaar: Piano. Mark Zandveld: Bass. Enrique Firpi: Drums. Guest Musicians: Frits Landesbergen: Vibraphone. Mike Del Ferro: Piano. Leonardo Amuedo: Acoustic Guitar. Jeroen de Rijk: Percussion. Tom Beek: Saxophone. Steve Altenberg: Drums.

Record Label: Timeless Records
Style: Vocal