Lia Booth & Jason "Spicy G" Goldman: There's Only One

Southern California-based saxophonist, songwriter and award-winning producer Jason "Spicy G" Goldman, presents There's Only One, an engaging encore performance to his previously well-received album Hypnotized (2020, Self-Produced). This offering provides a selection of re-imagined standards supported by a core septet, plus the addition of violins and cello on selected tracks, that manages to produce a large ensemble sound affirming the axiom "the little big band that could." Complementing the music here is Goldman's collaboration with the vibrant young vocalist Lia Marsh Booth, who has quickly established herself as one of the most in-demand and talked about singers in the Southern California jazz scene. While a relative newcomer, among Booth's credits have been performances with the likes of Jeff Goldblum's Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and sharing the stage with trumpet master Arturo Sandoval.

Naturally, Goldman produced and arranged all of the music, designing an album presenting a variety of musical styles ranging from modern pop and Latin rhythms to traditional jazz swing, while also staying true to the classical sounds of music from the Great American Songbook. There are ten tracks, opening up in grand style with five back-to-back burners beginning with the classic 1940s Cole Porter standard "I Concentrate on You," delivered in seductive style by Booth enhanced by a marvelous big band-like orchestration. Just as enticing is the following Henry Mancini classic "It Had Better Be Tonight," also known by the Italian title "Meglio Stasera," with Italian lyrics by Franco Migliacci.

The title track comes to life with Booth sounding a bit like Billie Holiday. The immortal 1934 George Gershwin standard "Summertime" is given a new twist with this Goldman arrangement. Perhaps the most swinging song on this album is Goldman's version of the 1953 Cole Porter standard "It's All Right with me," with the band and the singer delivering powerful performances.

Among the swinging sounds presented here, room is made for the lighter side of the music, as captured by the lovely ballad of "Symptoms," complete with strings and a delicate touch by the vocalist resulting in one beautiful song. A popular tune performed by many singers from Dean Martin and Diana Krall to Michael Buble, for whom Goldman produced and wrote music for many years, "Sway" takes on a fresh new approach that departs a little from the well-known melody.

The album comes to a close with Eden Ahbez's familiar "Nature Boy" and the pop-packed jazz version of Grace Slick's "White Rabbit," made popular by guitarist/vocalist George Benson's album of the same name. Goldman and Booth's joint efforts on There's Only One pays off in a stunning fashion here with a great band, phenomenal arrangements and a songstress of note and star in the making, all coming together in impressive form.

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