A good dilemma. Which of the Samara Joy tracks to return to most? Let's go for the delightful Petrillo, Ross, Shawn song 'Jim'. My favourite version is on Sarah Vaughan (EmArcy), although dig Lady Day's as well. Samara's is ace too led off by a cappella bass that behind the vocal turns into tastefully floppy walking lines played by Ari Roland that then is swung by Kenny Washington. Samara Joy McLendon from the Bronx is just 21, her voice and the record sound a million dollars, Matt (Wish) Pierson, produced, the double bassist is the aforementioned Roland and drummer Washington. There hasn't been a female singer of the same high quality and approximate style to emerge since Deelee Dubé and before that Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Check guitarist Pasquale Grasso on the record too. Grasso impressed us a lot back in March (see: more) deep as he habitually is in Oscar Moore territory. Other songs on this upcoming Whirlwind release set for 9 July are Stardust; Everything Happens To Me; If You Never Fall In Love With Me; Let's Dream in the Moonlight; It Only Happens Once; The Trouble With Me Is You; If You’d Stay The Way I Dream; Lover Man; Only A Moment Ago; Moonglow and But Beautiful. SG