I was beginning to think that Trying Times would never see the light of day. Thankfully it has, slipped out with very little fanfare. Produced by Kenny Garrett pianist Benito Gonzalez Deelee has an outstandingly real classic jazz voice, a rarity these days and also a throwback to the golden age, that's why we beat a path to hear her play.
‘Ms Dubé, the first British recipient of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Award, has a voice of the purest gold’
— Deelee Dubé (@DeeleeDube) November 25, 2020
~ Jazz In Reading @blackbritainbe @TheAfricaCentre pic.twitter.com/Bp8IPPB4QM
A very starry cast of top US players including the quondam Diana Krall guitarist Russell Malone, Gonzalez and a horn section who include the Abdullah Ibrahim Ekaya player trombonist Andrae Murchison join the singer. Yet all recede as the singer seizes the day to formidable effect.
Deelee made her name winning the prestigious Sassy prize but it's been difficult since to continue that momentum .
Connoisseurs beat a path, it's the sort of record we'll all be returning to again and again. A very understated singer fundamentally yet who has power and interpretative resource bubbling up and so much to share that's her gift and this is a new dawn. SG
Out now.
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