Anthony Strong: Stepping Out

Not too many years ago it seemed that the art of the male jazz vocalist was heading in the same direction as black and white televisions and 8-track cartridges. One or two notable voices kept the flame alive, but new, young, vocal talent wasn't emerging. Then it started: a slow process, but new male singers began to appear. In the UK the most obvious example of the new breed is the million-selling Jamie Cullum. Anthony Strong's performance on Stepping Out suggests that there's a contender for Cullum's crown.

Singer, songwriter and pianist Strong already had a wealth of experience before recording Stepping Out, his third release after the self-produced Guaranteed! (2009) and the 5 song EP Delovely (Guaranteed Records, 2011). He's been a session pianist and he's supported stars including B.B. King. He also spent a year playing Jerry Lee Lewis in a West End production of Million Dollar Quartet. Now signed to French label Naïve (Adele's record company), Strong's career is rapidly gaining momentum.

On Stepping Out Strong mixes his own songs (with lyrics by Guy Mathers) and Songbook standards. He keeps things short and swift—14 songs in 48 minutes. A proper album, in other words. It's a smart move for two reasons: nothing gets bogged down in over-extended solos and every single tune is a radio-friendly 4 minutes 16 seconds or less. The standards are almost universally familiar, but Strong gives them enough of a shake-up to keep things fresh. His own songs; "Change My Ways" "Earlybird," "Learning To Unlove You" and "Falling In Love"; are immediately impressive.

In another smart move, Strong has surrounded himself with some of the UK's finest straight-ahead players—musicians who know how to swing, how to lay back and how to back a singer in a sympathetic way. The core rhythm section players—bassists Tom Farmer and Calum Gourlay, drummers Sebastian De Krom and Matt Skelton—are superb throughout.

The up-tempo swingers are the album's most enjoyable numbers. Strong's timing and technique are exceptional, his commitment is clear. He's not a singer who tears at the heartstrings like Kurt Elling or Ian Shaw might do. He's at the more escapist end of the spectrum, his voice maintaining its welcoming, relaxed, vibe whether he's performing a hard-driving song such as "Change My Ways" or a ballad like the excellent "My Foolish Heart." The exception is "Learning To Unlove You," a convincing and passionate solo performance.

The album credits name check the company that made Strong's suit (Without Prejudice, for the fashion-conscious). Such a credit may seem rather superfluous, but it's a sign that everything about his image is being taken seriously and that's no bad thing. Stepping Out is slick, engaging and likeable—if Strong was an English football team he'd be ready for the Premier League.