A jazz singer who has increasingly developed her own voice and who has risen to great heights, is Nnenna Freelon. She sings passionately on her new album "Maiden voyage", named after Herbie Hancock's eponymous composition, with lyrics by Jean Hancock; Incidentally, Herbie Hancock can also be heard on this song. Freelon himself wrote "Future news blues" and the closing song "Sing me down". She provided
… the lyrics "Sepia wing" by pianist Marian McPartland. Other notable compositions on this album are the opening track "Come into my life" by Nona Hendryx, "Four women" by Nina Simone (with beautiful playing by Bob Mintzer on bass clarinet), "Until it's time for you to go" by Buffy Sainte- Marie, "Women be wise" by Sippie Wallace and "Inside a silent tear" by Linda Albert / Blossom Dearie. A very strong vocal jazz CD with excellent accompaniment! (JW) _more