a strong set of original compositions that are utterly and completely engaging

33 Records 33JAZZ318

Rachel Sutton (vocals); Roland Perrin (piano); Michael Curtis Ruiz (bass); Paul Robinson (drums & percussion)
with Sandy Buglass, Ebenezer Oke (guitar); Paul Booth (saxophone); Ryan Quigley (trumpet); Trevor Mires (trombone)
Choir – Ebenezer Oke, Rachel Sutton, Adebisi Grace Ajiboye, Joy Ibisa Odogo, Tunde Omomeji, Esther Oloyede

Retaining the same rhythm section that accompanied her on the excellent A Million Conversations, Rachel Sutton returns with the exhilarating and uplifting Realms and this time brining in additional musicians to bring out every last detail in this rather special collection of songs.

There is a biographical element to the album in so much as Sutton says that “Realms is made up of many parts, drawing on many moments from parts of my life”, and in doing so her theatrical training is allowed to come to the fore imbuing the music with that feeling of drama and emotion that is real life.

Sutton knows just how to deliver a melody and lyric and win over her audience and she got me right from the beginning with ‘Summer Song’ in which her voice caresses the melody and mention should also be made of Roland Perrin’s piano solo that is also a highlight of the performance.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the album is the way in which Rachel has expanded the tonal pallet within her songs There is a passion and drama in the vocals on her ballad ‘The Jester and the Jewel’ that with her powerful delivery matched by Sandy Burgess’s guitar solo. Continuing with the additional instrumentation, Sutton’s use of a horn section on ‘Time’ brings a punchy and funky feel to this uplifting song with a fine solo from trumpeter Ryan Quigley.

‘Daytrip’ is a beautifully relaxed stroll, while there is a poignancy to ‘I’d Really Love It’, that is tugs at the heartstrings that is in sharp contrast to the swinging ‘All You Can Eat’; but it is the infectious groove and joyous feeling of ‘There’s A Feeling’ complete with choir that I can’t shake off and has been on repeat while I  write this review. A truly marvellous piece of writing and a performance to match.

And that is what makes this album such a pleasure to listen to, a strong set of original compositions that are utterly and completely engaging (and I defy anyone not to want to hit the repeat button as the choir sing the last few words of ‘There’s a Feeling’!).