ANNETTE GREGORY - Intimate Affair: Volume 1
Self Release
Annette Gregory (vocals); Matheus Prada Mota (double bass); Pauld De Gallier (drums); Alan Wakeman (saxophone); John McDonald (keyboard); John McKinley (guitar)
There appears to be of late a firm belief that less is more. With the advent of the compact disc that could store up to 80 minutes of music everyone seemed to feel the urge to fill it, with the result that there was a glut of overlong albums being recorded. Sanity then prevailed and playing time for discs came down to around the sixty minute mark, and with the resurgence of vinyl playing times seemed to have diminished still further to that traditionally found on the LP releases that many readers will remember before the silver disc was pronounced the ultimate medium for carrying music.
This philosophy of delivering music in smaller quantities has now seen the re-introduction of the EP, and it is becoming an increasingly popular way for artists to keep their audience abreast of their music. One such musician who has taken advantage of this format (this is her fourth such release), is vocalist Annette Gregory and she is now perfectly adept at producing an EP that certainly delivers on the less is more, presenting a programme of extremely high quality and enjoyable jazz.
Gregory poses a full and soulful voice that exudes warmth. She sings with a perfect enunciation that, with the expressive way she approaches the lyric, allows the story of the song to shine through. This she does in fine style on the opening 'Close Enough For Love' and the deeply swinging 'Poor Little Rich Girl' that also features a fine solo from Alan Wakeman on tenor.
After the more uptempo tunes, Gregory delights with a spritely and joyous 'The Very Thought Of You', which has some superb interplay from John McDonald's piano and guitarist, John McKinley, that really pick up and lift the mood already created by the vocalist.
Drawing the set to a close, Ms Gregory brings things down a little in a wonderful duet with McDonald that smoulders quietly. A perfect tempo for a delicate reading of the song that is never overplayed or elaborated, again letting the music speak for itself.
This is a wonderfully programmed EP that deserves to be heard, and if you are not familiar with Annette Gregory's work then might I be so bold as to suggest that you begin your acquaintance with this recording, and then follow the inevitable whim to check out the earlier EP's.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Self Release
Annette Gregory (vocals); Matheus Prada Mota (double bass); Pauld De Gallier (drums); Alan Wakeman (saxophone); John McDonald (keyboard); John McKinley (guitar)
There appears to be of late a firm belief that less is more. With the advent of the compact disc that could store up to 80 minutes of music everyone seemed to feel the urge to fill it, with the result that there was a glut of overlong albums being recorded. Sanity then prevailed and playing time for discs came down to around the sixty minute mark, and with the resurgence of vinyl playing times seemed to have diminished still further to that traditionally found on the LP releases that many readers will remember before the silver disc was pronounced the ultimate medium for carrying music.
This philosophy of delivering music in smaller quantities has now seen the re-introduction of the EP, and it is becoming an increasingly popular way for artists to keep their audience abreast of their music. One such musician who has taken advantage of this format (this is her fourth such release), is vocalist Annette Gregory and she is now perfectly adept at producing an EP that certainly delivers on the less is more, presenting a programme of extremely high quality and enjoyable jazz.
Gregory poses a full and soulful voice that exudes warmth. She sings with a perfect enunciation that, with the expressive way she approaches the lyric, allows the story of the song to shine through. This she does in fine style on the opening 'Close Enough For Love' and the deeply swinging 'Poor Little Rich Girl' that also features a fine solo from Alan Wakeman on tenor.
After the more uptempo tunes, Gregory delights with a spritely and joyous 'The Very Thought Of You', which has some superb interplay from John McDonald's piano and guitarist, John McKinley, that really pick up and lift the mood already created by the vocalist.
Drawing the set to a close, Ms Gregory brings things down a little in a wonderful duet with McDonald that smoulders quietly. A perfect tempo for a delicate reading of the song that is never overplayed or elaborated, again letting the music speak for itself.
This is a wonderfully programmed EP that deserves to be heard, and if you are not familiar with Annette Gregory's work then might I be so bold as to suggest that you begin your acquaintance with this recording, and then follow the inevitable whim to check out the earlier EP's.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
