Love Life Choices
Timeless Grooves, 2021
8/10
The New York songstress Rebecca Angel has given us several great singles these last few years, and now she’s got her first album ready, where she mixes originals with interpretations that showcase her mature, diverse and thriving skill set that welcomes plenty of hands on deck across the 10 tracks.
“For What It’s Worth”, a Buffalo Springfield tune, starts the listen with Reggie Washington’s bouncy bass work as Angel’s diverse pipes enter alongside bright trumpet from Dennis Angel on the highly melodic opener, and “Till Now (Gymnopédie No. 1) follows with a dreamy delivery of warm keys thanks to Jason Miles, playful congas from Mark Rivera, and, of course, Angel’s pretty singing.
Halfway through, “Waiting In Vain” keeps some of the reggae spirit alive from the Bob Marley tune, as Angel’s hazy vocals are met with laid back guitar work from both Nir Felder and Romero Lubambo, while “Corcovado” recruits flugelhorn from Dennis Angel and intricate picking from Romero Lubambo’s guitar amid a very dreamy, cultured climate. “Waters Of March”, one of the record’s best, then moves swiftly with Jay Rodriguez’s airy flute and Pamela Driggs adding her vocals to a lush, even dance friendly spirit.
The album exits with a pair of originals, where “Thoughts And Prayers” brings some modern day pop ideas into her timeless jazz influences as she stays quite topical with lyrical themes, and “Summer Song (Electro Remix)” embraces synth and soprano sax in an eclectic and memorable finish.
Angel mixes up subject matter that’s personal (she was recently married), as well as wordplay surrounding current events, and the inclusion of 3 originals shows us that she’s got the songwriting chops, too. Undoubtedly the work of a young woman with a lengthy and esteemed career on the horizon, Love Life Choices is a big step towards worldwide stardom.
Travels well with: Rebecca DuMaine And The Dave Miller Trio- Chez Nous; Reza Khan- Imaginary Road