Duo albums can often become tedious with the format frequently lacking in variety because of the limitations that come with the set up.
Thomas overcomes these obstacles by laying down twelve duo tracks with twelve different instrumentalists on six different instruments.
And not just any twelve musicians but, as the details listed above reveal, the cream of NYC and beyond.
This is Thomas' fifth album (her previous album was reviewed here in 2020) and is described in the blurb as career-defining and it is certainly that. An understanding of the lyric, occasional scatting and always bonding with her fellow traveller. She even makes a silk purse out of that sow's ear a.k.a Nature Boy not least because of da Silva's subtle percussive support.
Have You Met Miss Jones? always presents a conundrum for female singers. It shouldn't in these enlightened times but, just as Ella did in her Rogers and Hart Songbook where Miss Jones became Sir Jones, Thomas substitutes O'Jones neither of which does the lyric any favours. Douglas is on bass.
Ron Carter enhances Willow Weep For me, Russell Malone excels on My Foolish Heart, Escoffery and Thomas entwine like copulating eels on Lush Life whilst Sportiello provides the most swinging accompaniment of the lot on You're Getting to be a Habit With me.
Other sparring partners are Alves (Love For Sale); Di Martino (After You Who?); Affif (Both Sides Now); Monteiro (Smile); Ueda (Ev'ry Time we Say Goodbye) and Dorman-Phaneuf ('Round Midnight).
It's out now on Dot Time Records. Lance
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