Local audiences are familiar with Gabrielle Agachiko’s charismatic, live performances. This includes her performance as “Jesus Christ Superstar” in Boston Rock Opera (the title role). The Atom Said and, more recently this septet made up of a few ringers from the local Jazz scene. It started as a Nina Simone tribute, with the heart-stopping “Four Women”, but quickly expanded to include blues, jazz and pop music, and Agachiko originals. The most exciting thing about this project isn’t just Agachiko singing (powered by a powerful instrument, knife-sharp pronunciation, and a touch vibrato), but also the fully realized concept. Russ Gershon, the Either/Orchestra’s composer, wrote the arrangements. Gershon’s tenor was accompanied by Scott Getchell’s trumpet by Ken Field (Revolutionary Snake Ensemble). Agachiko’s emotional explorations are enhanced by their agile and piquant backing choruses. You can see the dissonance between their backgrounds and vocal lines in “Blue Winter,” the agitated interplay on “Your Mama’s mother-in-law kiss off,” or Getchell and Getchell’s beautiful solo on “Angel Eyes” and then there’s Agachiko herself, delivering satirical humor in “Words,” confessing in “Unlovable”, and concluding with all the above in the title track. This one is a yes. from http://www.bostonglobe.com
