CD Review: Melinda Rose & Frenchy Romero, "I'm On My Way"

 

Vocalist Melinda Rose and Pianist Frenchy Romero grew up within blocks of each other in Miami and while they never attended the same school together, both were attracted to straight-ahead Jazz.  In 2022 Rose was invited to audition to be the first vocalist for a U.S. Army big band called, the Army Blues.  She won the position and moved to Washington, D.C. to join the band  About two months later Rose saw an announcement for a Pianist in another Army band at the same base.  She shared the news with Romero, who won the job.  These events allowed the talented duo to continue to collaborate as a Jazz duo.  "I'm On My Way"  is the first product of their musical efforts and it's a stunning new Jazz CD.  There is something very special when these two musicians work together.  First, Melinda Rose has a gorgeous, pure, velvet yet strong voice that is so refreshing to listen to especially compared to what seems to be popular today.  Her voice evokes vocal images of  Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day but with her own personal styling.  Pianist Frenchy Romero delivers a master class on how to accompany a great vocalist.  She is creative and supportive but never interrupts Melinda's vocals.  What a pleasure to listen to these two young and talented musicians.  There is great sensitivity between these friends that produces some of the best Jazz I have heard in a long time.  The playlist this duo put together is diverse and magical..  The CD has 6 standards, some old and some new and 4 orginials composed by Melinda Rose.  This CD  is a dream album for any Jazz vocalist fan.   Thank you Melinda and Frenchy and please get busy on your next CD! 

I have attached two "YouTube" videos of songs from "I'm On My Way".  It took me a lot of time to select 2 songs out of the 10 on this CD because I liked every song.  The first selection is a beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder's  "If It's Magic" and this version is magic to me!  The second song is the Nancy Wilson classic "You Can Have Him" written by Irvin Berlin that is simply a beautiful performance!  

PLAYERS:

Melinda Rose- Vocals, Arrangements, Compositions

Frenchy Romero- Piano and Arrangements

Vince Dupont- Bass

Matt Wilson- Drums

Summer Camargo- Trumpet

PLAYLIST:

1. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

2. Once Upon a Summertime

3. If It's Magic

4. It Could Happen To You

5. Don't Come Back

6. I'll Do It All Again

7. In My Own Little Corner

8. I'm On My Way

9. You Can Have Him

10. It's Not You, It's Me  

                                                                    "If It's Magic"

                                                                    "You Can Have Him"