Charito: Heal The World (2011)

C. MICHAEL BAILEY,

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: June 23, 2011

Track review of "I’ll Be There"

Michael Jackson tribute discs are inevitable. Every stripe will be conceived and performed, from the sublime to the truly frightening. Chiming in at the front of the former line is Charito's excellent Heal The World. The Japan-based singer is best known for her successful string of recordings begun in the early 1990s. Her singing is plush and near perfect, well-suited for a contemporary repertoire like the Michael Jackson songbook. Produced by Harvey Mason, who also plays drums, Heal The World may define the idea of adult contemporary (jazz) vocals.

Charito's philosophy in approaching Jackson's music is to do so respectfully and with class. She imbues the Jackson Five classic "I'll Be There" with copious amounts of both. Using only a rhythm section and no solo instruments, Charito brings her pitch-perfect voice front and center, singing with a sweetness honoring the original in a way that makes this disc a true celebration of a talent that will be remembered long after his death. For its intentions, Heal The World may be the most perfect vocal recording of the year.

Personnel: Charito: vocals; Michael Ruff: keyboards, synths, synth and keyboard bass, background vocals; Brian Bromberg: acoustic bass; Harvey Mason: drums.

Record Label: Zoho Music
Style: Beyond Jazz