Search - Jacqui Naylor :: Color Five

Giving music a new soul

Liisa | New York, NY | 09/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jacqui Naylor's acoustic smashing creates a complex listening experience: with each play, there's something new to discover about each song. Even Jacqui's weighty, soothing voice by itself recreates jazz standards, but in the smashes, like losing my religion, intense lyrics are magically infused with a new soul, a bluesy, unique soul."

A Great Singer With A Captivating Voice That Speaks Of Elega

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 10/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Color Five represents a bringing together of the richness of my life and the celebration of my spiritual, musical and emotional communities. While I refer to the number five in many ways on this recording, perhaps the most significant to me are the five who made it happen. Art Khu and Michael Romanowski worked tirelessly to make sure the music tells the whole story with all its color. Jon Evans lent his impeccable taste and wisdom and Josh Jones always laid down the tightest groove. Add the sublime strings of my Buddhist sister Yoon Ki Chai and the five are complete." ~ Jacqui Naylor ~



"Naylor's voice is precise, languorous and very sexy. She has all the elements together...talent, looks and presence...I just don't think anyone can learn to sing like this; it must be a natural, organic thing that comes from the heart, from the soul." ~ Los Angeles Jazz Scene ~



Since I haven't heard any of Ms. Naylor's recordings, I thought I might not be able to give this CD a five-star treatment but after listening to it in its entirety with a few repeats on the tracks that impressed me most such as "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Summertime," "Blue Moon" and her original song "Easy Ride From Here," I came to a conclusion that this is a five-star material. She may not be a big star yet but she's very promising and has the qualities of becoming a great singer with her powerful yet charming and captivating voice, songwriting talent and a terrific style of singing that speaks of elegance and confidence.



After four remarkable CDs to her credit, Jacqui Naylor came up with a new-released "The Color Five," which offers a variety of classic rock, some standards from the Great American Songbook and five of her original songs which she co-wrote with her guitarist/pianist Art Khu. To me, the most notable and impressive from among her original songs are "Easy Ride From Here," "Drive On" and "Sit And Rest A While." This CD is a fusion of jazz, soft rock and pop music with outstanding arrangements. On all the tracks, she is ably backed up by her fabulous band: arranger Art Khu (piano/organ/guitar), Jon Evans (bass), Josh Jones (drums/percussion) and Yoon Ki Chai (violin), Zoe Ellis and Caitlin Cornwell (background vocals).



Ms. Naylor is such a versatile singer and she can render it like an ace whether she's singing Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs" or jazzing it up with Gershwins' gem "Summertime," which is superbly arranged by Jon Evans and Rodgers & Hart's treasure "Blue Moon" or simply mellowing it up smoothly on her take on Raye & DePaul's "You Don't Know What Love Is," a song made popular by Billie Holiday and covered by other artists, one of them is the talented George Benson. I think this is my absolute favorite here. She sings it so mellow and the arrangement by Art Khu is so splendid and typical of the technique invented by the singer called "Acoustic Smashing," where she sings a timeless standard with a rock-sounding arrangement and vice-versa.



"You don't know what love is

Until you've learned the meaning of the blues

Until you've loved a love you've had to lose

You don't know what love is. . .



You don't know how hearts burn

For love that cannot live yet never dies

Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes

You don't know what love is."



Well, what else can I say but I'm a new fan! ;)



I wholeheartedly recommend this CD for your listening pleasure, you will never be disappointed and since a portion of the proceeds from this recording support organizations that promote healing and empowerment for women and children, it's such a worthy cause.

"

Another excellent album. Thank you, Jacqui!

Bee Oh Bee | Seattle, WA USA | 09/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There's a rich and accomplished line of female vocalists throughout jazz history. So legendary that often we just need to mention their first names to ring a bell ... Ethel, Bessie, Billie, Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Anita, Peggy ... And my favorite contemporary jazz vocalist, Jacqui, keeps the spirit and heritage alive. I love her musical experimentation, creatively meshing pop and rock classics with jazz standards. She's also has a knack for writing some excellent original material. If you get the opportunity, I encourage you to see her live in concert; there's nothing better than a live jazz performance."