CD Review: Jacqui Naylor, "Treasures of the Heart"

Vocalist and Composer Jacqui Naylor has just released her 12th album, "Treasures Of The Heart".   For those of you who are not familiar with Jacqui Naylor's work you are in for a treat.  Jacqui's new CD, "Treasures of the Heart" is a sensational gift for all music lovers.  Jacqui Naylor's voice can be described as smokey and rich. She has her only style and while the listener may be reminded of other major Jazz vocalists, her voice is very special and her own. She includes a wide variety of new and old music and takes us for a musical ride with songs immersed in Jazz, R & B, Soul and Pop.  Jacqui along with her Pianist and husband, Art Khu composed 10 of the 14 songs on this CD.  Art Khu created all the exciting arrangements.   His piano work fits Jacqui's vocal style perfectly.   Her reimagined approach to the four well- known standards will surprised you both with her wonderful vocal stylizing and Art Chu's refreshing bright arrangements.   Jacqui has headlined some of the most important and famous festivals throughout the world including Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Vancouver Jazz Festival, London's Ronnie Scott's,  Berlin's Quasimodo, Lisbon's Jazz Palacio Baldaya, New York and Hamburg's Birdland and the Blue Note in New York, Milan and Tokyo.  Once you listen to "Treasures of the Heart" you will quickly understand why Jacqui Naylor is in high demand where ever Jazz is loved!  

The supporting band for this album are rock solid Jazz professionals.  Starting with her Pianist, Art Khu, who co-wrote the 10 original songs for the album.  His support behind and along side Jacqui is terrific.  Khu has worked with some of the biggest Jazz players like Donald Byrd, and Idina Menzel.  Richie Goods, who has toured and recorded with Jacqui and worked with Lenny While, Milt Jackson, Russell Malone, Vincent Herring, Chris Botti, Christiana Aguilera and Whitney Houston is outstanding on Bass. Drummer and Percussionist Ele Howell provides faultless and creative rhythms that add interest to every song.  Erik Jekabson plays Trumpet and Flugelhorn and completes this band.  Erik has performed with Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Brian Lynch and Tito Puente.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that I know you will enjoy.  The first is Jacqui's reimagined version of the Rodgers and Hart evergreen "I didn't know What Time It Was" with an Afro-Cuban rhythm.  The second song is the title tune "Treasures of The Heart" written by Jacqui and Art Khu.  The lyric summarizes the album's theme "I found joy when only dark clouds came to call/ I felt springtime when the leaves began to fall/ in the sunshine and the rain/ in the joy inside the pain/ joy is a treasure of the heart".

PLAYLIST:

1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

2. Treasures Of The Heart

3. All That We Could Be

4. Happy Adventure

5. Walk Out In The Sun

6. Love's Around

7. True Colors

8. You're The One For Me

9. Love In Springtime

10. Lovely Day

11. Picture Book Of You

12. This Guy's In Love With You

13. Hold On

14. We'll Shine Through

PLAYERS:

Jacqui Naylor- Vocals, Composing

Art Khu- Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Celeste, Guitar, Composing, Arranging

Richie Goods- Basses

Ele Howell- Drums, Percussion

Erik Jekabson- Trumpet, Flugelhorn

                                                        "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"

                                                                "Treasures of the Heart"

CD Review: Jacqui Naylor, "The Long Game"

Vocalist and composer Jacqui Naylor released her eleventh album back in February of the year but I never got to it until recently.  Jacqui is a remarkable vocalist and songwriter.  Her voice is soulful and full with deep tones that are unusual on today's music scene.  She is well known for her ability to interpret a diverse repertoire, bringing together music from different genres and generations.  Jacqui has coined a name to describe her arranging technique, "acoustic smashing".  This technique involves singing the lyrics and melody of a Jazz standard over the music of a well-known rock anthem.  I have attached a brilliant example of this technique with Jacqui singing the Coldplay song "Fix It" while the band plays background  support of a Miles Davis-inspired "It Never Entered My Mind". 

There is a synergy that listeners will hear immediately when listening to this CD between Jacqui Naylor and her talented band.  The band leader is Art Khu on Piano and has this to say about the synergy of the band, "Each member of this band is an accomplished musician and storyteller, sensitive to Jacqui's mission and lyrics, supportive, intuitive and compassionate.  Decades of work culminate in "The Long Game" as each band member uses their individual talents to contribute, shine and support each other.  Jacqui's interpretations are deep, thoughtful but also human and unpretentious."  The second "YouTube" I have attached will instantly broadcast the synergy of all the players performing the Van Heusen and Burke classic, "Like Someone In Love".  Joining Jacqui and Art are Jon Evans on Bass and Guitar and Josh Jones on Drums and Percussion.

The playlist listed below is worth studying.  It's new and old, diverse and familiar all at the same time.  If you like soulful singing and interpretations you really need to buy this CD!      

                                                                           "Fix You"

                                                                "Like Someone In Love"

PLAYLIST:

1. Like Someone In Love

2. Give Me One More Chance

3. Fix You

4. I'll Be Loving You

5. Love Look What You've Done

6. Walkin' Out The Door

7. Smile

8. The Thrill Is Gone

9. Space Oddity

10. The Long Game

11. Don't Give Up

12. Speak Low

13. It's The Right Time

14. All My Life

PLAYERS:

Jacqui Naylor-Vocals, Compositions

Art Khu-Piano, Arrangements, Organ, Rhodes, Guitars

Jon Evans-Basses, Guitar #2 and #3, Background Vocals, Arrangements

Josh Jones-Drums, Percussion, Arrangements