There is something rather special about Emily Masser, and in partnership with her father Dean has produced an excellent album that somehow avoids the obvious, bringing some wonderful songs out for refreshingly new readings. A must have for any lover of jazz vocals.
Millgate Records
Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Masser (tenor saxophone); Matyas Gayer (piano); James Owston (bass); Steve Brown (drums)
Recorded 10th September 2024
My first encounter with this remarkable young vocalist was with the Clark Tracey Quintet and the hugely impressive album Introducing Emily Masser. When presented with something quite that good you inevitably wonder just what Masser will do next and how, if at all, she can possibly match such a spectacular and auspicious start to her career.
Well, I needn’t have worried as Masser seems to have had things in hand all along, and with Songs with My Father boldly steps out under her own name, fronting her own quintet and to coin a phrase, nailing it.
Everything about this debut album leaves a lasting impression from the choice of repertoire to the assembled musicians. The rhythm section is top notch and provide sensitive accompaniment on the ballads and swing on the up tempo numbers, and also deliver in spades when called upon to take a solo.
However, what is particular endearing and gives a bitter sweet feeling to the album is the relationship between father and daughter and the poignancy that the recording is dedicated to the memory of Emily’s late mother. With many of the songs chosen being particular favourite of her mother’s, the repertoire is wide and varied and nowhere is there a sense of oversentimentality or sadness in the music but quite the opposite with a feeling of joy that permeates throughout.
That feeling of joy almost jumps out of the speakers on the opening ‘Old Devil Moon’, a track that swings mightily yet Emily delivers it with a voice that is full of maturity belying her tender years. Not to be outdone, father Dean also gets in the first of several fine solos on tenor that reveal a saxophonist that is sadly underappreciated and deserving of wider recognition.
Another swinging number, after a gentle opening, is ‘The Boy Next Door’ that was sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. Again, Masser’s vocal is totally assured bringing out the story inherent in the lyrics. This ability to take on songs performed by the greats and make something contemporary and just a little bit personal is also reflected in Peggy Lee’s ‘Take A Little Time To Smile’ that is driven along at just the right tempo and contains more impressive solos from Dean Masser and pianist Matyas Gayer.
As if taking a further stepping back from the obvious song choices, Emily takes control on a stunning arrangement of Jobim’s ‘Double Rainbow’, and exercising her prowess as with wordless vocals there are breathtaking readings for the quintet of Horace Silver’s ‘Room 608’ and ‘Hackensack’ by Thelonious Monk. This familiarity with negotiating tricky themes and an ability to pull off scat solos at will may stem from her studies on saxophone before concentrating on her singing.
From swing to intricate hard bop melodies with ease, Emily appears to have it all and confirms this with two beautiful ballads in the standard ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ and the albums only original composed by father and daughter in the lovely ‘Song for My Mother’ that balance the programme out in a most satisfactory manner.
Having been further convinced and charmed by the vocals of Emily Masser on Songs with My Father, Emily throws in a curve ball with her reading of ‘Dat Dere’. While an ardent admirer of Bobby Timmons as both a pianist and composer, I am often left rather non-plussed by Oscar Brown’s lyrics and vocal performances of the song. However, Emily has presented this rather quirky tale of the childhood relationship with their father, complete with contemporary verses that are totally relatable for the current day, that will happily sit alongside Sheila Jordan’s classic version from her 1963 Blue Note album Portrait of Sheila.
There is something rather special about Emily Masser, and in partnership with her father Dean has produced an excellent album that somehow avoids the obvious, bringing some wonderful songs out for refreshingly new readings. A must have for any lover of jazz vocals.
