Daddy Said So
Groove Note, 2017
8/10
The Nigerian born artist Douyé has made quite an impressive career playing R&B, but here the songstress offers us 14 jazz standards, as she lives up to a promise made to her father as he was dying that she would eventually sing jazz as an adult.
“But Beautiful” starts the world with Douyé’s pretty, expressive vocals alongside soft percussion and warm keys in the calming jazz atmosphere, and “Lush Life” follows with initially just agile piano complementing the flawless singing that shows impressive range.
Near the middle, “All The Things You Are” moves quicker with a dance friendly setting of playful musicianship where a saxophone makes an impression, while “I Loves You Porgy” enters ballad territory with a romantic quality that’s as timeless as it is gorgeous. “Sophisticated Lady”, one of the album’s best, then offers a dreamy atmosphere of elegant and mature song craft.
Douyé keeps the quality of her work strong until the end, where “Besame Mucho” brings a bit of culture in the Spanish traditional, and “Nature Boy” exits the listen bare, with a plucked bass accompanying the emotive delivery from Douyé.
Although I don’t think any of us would want Douyé to stop any of the other genres she performs in, let’s hope she also continues with jazz, not only for her father, but because her exceptional voice manages to make great tunes sound even better.
Travels well with: John Daversa Quintet- Cuarentena; Diane Schuur- Running On Faith