Times Like These
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The jazz vocalist Nica Carrington possesses a very soulful spirit to her voice, and on this debut she interprets songs from the Great American Songbook with John Proulx (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass) and Joe Labarbera (drums) by her side.
“Skylark” starts the listen with Carrington’s soulful voice amid the gentle piano, as much beauty unfolds in the intimate landscape, and “Left Alone” follows with the well timed drums adding much to the cozy jazz climate.
In the middle, “We’ll Be Together Again” showcases plenty of emotion in Carrington’s poetic delivery, while “The Summer Knows” builds into a somewhat fuller display of graceful keys, light drums and subtle bass in a very powerful album highlight.
Deeper still, “The Shadow Of Your Smile” is quite charming in a playful sort of way, and “Here’s To Life” exits with a stirring quality that radiates warmth, humility and a wiseness that’s present across the entire affair.
Although Carrington’s been singing and studying voice since childhood, it took the pandemic to push her into the world of recorded music, and she delivers like a seasoned vet on this timeless and superb first effort.
Travels well with: Tracye Eileen- You Hit The Spot; Vicki Burns- Lotus Blossom Days