E. J. Decker: Bluer Than Velvet: The Prysock Project

E. J. Decker probably could write a book if they asked him—his shaping influences and history of musical collaborations (not to mention social activism) would make it a fascinating one indeed—but it would be so much nicer to hear him sing it. A voice smooth as, well, velvet (pardon the obvious simile) lets him put a rich soulful stamp on anything from that Great American Songbook to classic rock or folk. For this long-in-coming labor of love, though, it's all about shining a light on the oft-overlooked Arthur Prysock: a dim smoky blue light, of course, preferably accompanied by a dry martini.

Bluer Than Velvet should do a service in nudging more listeners to remember or discover Prysock's R&B croon, though Decker's similarly cozy deep baritone lets this affair stand most appealingly on its own. The set consists of classic standards mellowed like a well-aged whiskey, unspooling at the easy pace of a wee-hours lounge set to ease the crowd through last call and last drinks. Most were Prysock staples, though Decker also throws in a couple others he never recorded—a lightly jaunty "On the Street Where You Live" making one album's highlight—which still fit the program like a glove.

As Decker's drawl ekes the life and love out of each syllable, the band lightly swings in style just as tasteful to match. Enticing trombone and baritone sax complement his low register with smooth shades of cabaret and blues; they and the dreamy piano and rhythm section could have stepped straight out of a lush Blue Note session from the 1950s. The themes lean on the wistful side—note the choice of "What a Difference a Day Made," featuring the song's mature side alongside a couple autumnal titles—yet there's a fair share of smiles too. Whatever the song or the mood, count on Decker to deliver it in a way all his own.

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