Laurie Dapice: Parting the Veil

Phrasing is important. The top jazz vocalists are experts at laying down the elastic—or the sharp and concise—turn of phrase. New York-based vocalist Laurie Dapice excels in this regard. Like a deft baker working and molding the dough, she stretches and kneads a syllable here, and slices another off with a sharp cut of a dough knife there. Throw in the clear, clean tone reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, some superb and unusual arrangements and you've got Dapice's Parting The Veil.

Dapice opens with a one-two punch of the familiar—a pair of Cole Porter gems, "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" She exudes warmth. And joy. She immerses herself in the Abbey Lincoln vehicle, "Just For Me," a slow, smooth, wee hours exploration of dreamy infatuation, with Akua Dixon's gorgeous cello rising to the top of an intricate and understated arrangement. "Midnight Sun," from the songwriting team of Johnny Mercer, Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke, showcases the power of Dapice's pipes inside a confident, straightforward delivery.

Dapice adds a couple of her own classic-sounding tunes to the mix, including the gorgeous "Winter Waltz," another Abbey Lincoln favorite, "Throw It Away," and a glorious, timeless take on the traditional "Motherless Child," wrapping up the package of first rate vocal jazz.