Search - Lorez Alexandria :: Deep Roots

A strong, straight-ahead jazz singer in classic mode

bencharif | Staten Island, NY United States | 11/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard "Deep Roots" about 25 years ago at the home of a friend who'd picked it up cheap in a bargain-LP rack. Every time I visited this friend, I'd implore him to play it, secretly hoping he'd get fed up enough to give it to me. No such luck. I had to wait 25 years to find it again on Amazon.com.Lorez Alexandria is--well, was--a completely natural jazz singer; her phrasing always sounds utterly right, including her scatting. Though she has a strong voice and a wide range, there are no pyrotechnics. When she takes off, it seems effortless, and you know she's out there not to impress but to explore, to clarify the possibilities inherent in the melody, and to report back to the listener.Her accompaniment on this album is a rhythm section and a trumpet, which is perfect (I've heard her with more complex backup and it just gets in the way). My only complaint is with the keyboards, which sometimes seem a bit out of control. But that's a minor complaint.All in all, this is a superb album--with stunning renditions of classics like "Detour Ahead," "No Moon At All," and "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year"--from a gifted jazz singer whose work deserves greater attention and acclaim."