Sue Maskaleris: Unbreakable Heart

She sings, she scats, she composes, she arranges, she plays piano, keyboards, percussion, recorder, and violin while she programs the synthesizer. Not all at once, of course, it just sounds like it. Sue Maskaleris is a very busy person on this her maiden album. This busyness permeates several of the tracks. The objective seems to be to create multi dimensional aural sensations. But the result is that so much going around Maskaleris as she tries to deliver her quite interesting mostly Brazilian influenced compositions that sometimes she and they are overwhelmed (Maskaleris wrote or co-wrote all but two of the tunes on the CD). Too often, this becomes a distraction, working against the singer rather than with her. Fortunately, the lyrics for her tunes are reprinted in the liner notes and you can follow along. But this is an inconvenience the listener should not be subjected to.

Now for the good news and there's lots of that. Maskaleris is extraordinarily talented, just bursting with it. There is much fun and intriguing music on this album played by extraordinary performers besides Maskaleris. The back and forth between her and hip icon Mark Murphy on "Scat!" is worth the price of admission. On "The Love Within" the singer opens with just guitar in support and things stay relatively simple throughout the tune allowing one to appreciate the appealing sonority of the Maskaleris voice. "I Can't Cry over You Anymore" gives off Motown vibes while it swings. "Younger Dreams" with quirky rhythms is a wild musical free for all filled with eerie ear catching melodies pushed along by Maskaleris, Doc Halliday, Eddie Gomez and Lenny White.

I look forward to her next album where perhaps a bit more control can be exercised. Sometimes less is better. Till then, there's much to enjoy in Unbreakable Heart. Visit Sue at her Internet home, www.suemask.com.