Alex Webb is a pianist, arranger and teacher as well as a cabaret-creator. Although his heart is in jazz, classic swing and early bebop, as well the casual magic of jazz-singing divas like Peggy Lee and Sandra Nkake, Webb has creatively revived those old materials and removed any remnants of nostalgia. Although he is still a great lyricist and composer, this is his first album. He leads a stellar cast of singers including Ayanna Witter Johnson (accompaning herself on cello), Sandra Nkake (from Paris), China Moses (sometimes sounding more like an earthier Peggy Lee), and Vimala Rowe. Even though the lyrics are smoky and set-’em up-Joe, they don’t provoke a wince. The solos and horn arrangements are delivered in a spirited manner and, despite being golden age jazz, it still manages to be quirkily current – which is a rare talent-spotting coup. From www.theguardian.com
