Playfully
Resensitive, 2023
8/10
The esteemed jazz vocalist Monika Ryan delivers 11 originals here, where Steve Einerson, Rene Hart and Alvester Garnett join her for tracks about life, love and the path to happiness.
The appropriately titled “Keepin’ It Light, Keepin’ It Mellow” starts the listen with Ryan’s bright and expressive voice amid Einerson’s playful keys, and “Grow Where I’m Planted” follows with Garnett’s skilled drumming complementing the dreamy climate that has Ryan hitting some high notes.
Elsewhere, “I Found That Place” offers a lyrically strong and musically stylish delivery thanks to the agile keys and Hart’s bouncy bass, while “Slipping Out” spotlights the bass acrobatics and soft drumming that suits Ryan’s smooth pipes.
“Living Thoughtfully” and “Whole And Resounding Love” exit the listen, where the former, the album’s best, uses mature keys and frisky bass to its advantage, and the latter finishes on a melodic and vocally strong note, where the rich musicianship matches the powerful pipes.
The veteran players sure do illuminate Ryan’s song craft well, where each song radiates timeless jazz qualities and wordplay that anyone can relate to.
Travels well with: Lisa Marie Simmons- Notespeak 12; Grace McNally- Full Circle