Take Love Easy

Personnel: Sophie Milman (vocals); Rob Piltch (guitar); Mark McLean (drums).
Audio Mixer: John "Beetle" Bailey.
Recording information: The Drive Shed, Toronto.
Photographers: Graham Powell; Jason Wills.
Arranger: Pete Coulman.
On her third CD, Sophie Milman continues to show an adventurous spirit, tackling standards and obscurities while also forging ahead into pop. Retaining many of the musicians from her previous release, MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY, the upbeat alto offers a hip take of Duke Ellington's long overlooked "Take Love Easy," exuding sex appeal and backed by guitarist Rob Piltch, bassist Kieran Overs, and percussionist Mark McLean (who also arranged it), with a brief solo added on soprano sax by PJ Perry. Pianist Paul Shrofel contributed the breezy bop vehicle "That Is Love," which showcases Milman in her best light. She soars in the brisk treatment of the old chestnut "Day In, Day Out," starting in a samba setting and switching to bop, featuring alto saxophonist Wessel Warmdaddy Anderson. Milman can't help but be influenced a bit by Joni Mitchell as she interprets the folksinger's "Be Cool," though she remains remarkably subtle in her approach. With this generally strong release, Sophie Milman remains one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation.