Andrea Wolper: Wanderlust

Andrea Wolper is an active jazz singer, composer, and educator but this album is her first recording since 2011. On it, she reestablishes herself as a creative vocalist and arranger who can excel in many different styles. She also benefits from the support of excellent musicians such as reed player Jeff Lederer and violinist Charles Burnham.

Wolper performs several of her own compositions as well as tunes by others such as Abbey Lincoln and Carole King. Among her own work, "Sobe E Desce" stands out, providing a springy Brazilian rhythm where she happily scats alongside Lederer's flute. On "The Nature of Life" she talks, sings and wails over a Middle Eastern drone woven together by Burnham on violin, Michael TA Thompson on drums and the leader herself on shruti box. "Nevermore" is a powerful duet that pairs Ken Filiano's heavy bass sound with Wolper's intense singing.

The outside songs get playful and varied treatments as well. Abbey Lincoln's "The Music is the Magic" is performed as a sensuous tango with Lederer's clarinet and Burnham's violin swooning under Wolper's voice. John di Martino's piano and Lederer's flute provide lush support on the gentle swaying motion of Carole King's "Been To Canaan," and Ray Charles' "Light Out of Darkness" emerges as a soulful blues that gives Wolper the space to unleash the full power of her voice.

The musicians around Wolper convey the moods of the music really well. They particularly stand out on "Eventide," where Wolper's wordless singing melts into the floating tropical vibe created by violin and piano, and Sting's "I Burn For You" where the instruments conjure a sinister tension around the leader's voice, Filiano's wobbly bowed bass sound comes off very creepy here.

This album marks a strong return to recording for Andrea Wolper. It shows off the confidence and versatility of her voice in the company of a fine and sympathetic band. Hopefully, she will not wait as long to return to the studio next time.