Shop Amazon

The Voice
Bobby McFerrin
1984 [Elektra/Nonesuch]

With McFerrin singing unaccompanied in pure virtuoso style, this aptly-named record was always going to be a little bit different. For those looking to experience remarkable vocal range and versatility in a mostly-jazz setting, there is simply nothing that compares. Yes… it really is only one man singing, despite what your ears may tell you.

Shop Amazon

Carmen Sings Monk
Carmen McRae
1990 [Novus]

A heartfelt memorial project dedicated to close friend Thelonious Monk. A pianist of note in her own right, Carmen McRae handles the complex vocal arrangements with true style. Tenor Charlie Rouse is the other standout performer and Jon Hendricks takes up the challenge of writing words for the more intricate compositions contained within.

Shop Amazon

Here's to Life
Shirley Horn
1992 [Verve]

A string-laden album from jazz singer Shirley Horn, with arrangements by Johnny Mandel scoring him a Grammy in the process. It is mostly sugary sweet down-tempo ballads, with the occasional mid-tempo foray to liven things up. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis chimes in on a couple of tracks, with a Charles Ables/Steve Williams rhythm section.

Shop Amazon

Blue Light 'til Dawn
Cassandra Wilson
1993 [Blue Note]

Recording the Blue Note label, Cassandra Wilson sings a pleasing mix of jazz and pop. Well-credentialled jazz players like Don Byron on clarinet and Olu Dara on cornet add the jazz feel, with Wilson maintaining a solidly commercial focus. The version of Robert Johnson's bluesy 'Come On In My Kitchen' is absolutely outstanding.

Shop Amazon

Café Blue
Patricia Barber
1994 [Premonition]

This early effort from pianist/vocalist Patricia Barber shows an artist gaining in confidence and style. One of her great strengths is her ability to move through a range of emotional contexts, from melancholy to playful and beyond. Guitarist John McLean, who played on three of the early albums, provides outstanding instrumental support.

Shop Amazon

New Moon Daughter
Cassandra Wilson
1995 [Blue Note]

Critics who claim Wilson abandoned jazz with this record simply don't know what they are talking about. The set kicks of with a postmodern version of Billie Holiday's disturbing 'Strange Fruit', moving on to chart an eclectic course through tracks by the likes of Son House, Neil Young, Johnny Mercer and the Monkees… and it sounds terrific.

Shop Amazon

The Messenger
Kurt Elling
1997 [Blue Note]

Kurt Elling's second studio outing shows off his somewhat unique and original vocal style. He doesn't have the greatest voice in contemporary jazz, but he certainly does enough with it to maintain interest. Allmusic's Scott Yanow noted, "Elling covers a wide range of music, continually taking chances and coming up with fresh approaches."

Shop Amazon

Careless Love
Madeleine Peyroux
2004 [Rounder]

The enigmatic Madeleine Peyroux waited eight years to follow up her superb Dreamland album because she "took a breather". Careless Love was worth the wait, however, with producer Larry Klein showing that he knows how to make a jazz singer sound popularly modern. The Billie Holiday influence is plainly obvious, but not overbearing.