Toronto's Sophie Milman has that rare ability to appeal to two often deeply separated worlds: those who like their jazz light and those purists who want their jazz heavy and nothing short of it. By having a more-than-capab... more »le traditional jazz band and challenging herself vocally to bring the swing, she has commanded respect from both camps. Milman's delivery is silky smooth, a gorgeous voice with a low register reminiscent of Fiona Apple and an upper register that brings Ella Fitzgerald's bounce and playfulness to mind. Like many jazz vocal discs, her sophomore release Make Someone Happy contains an abundance of covers, but some rather surprising in style. The often-done "Fever"?s arrangement is nothing like the original, containing more of an unnerving musical undercurrent than the traditional sultry one. Milman--who recorded this disc in her early 20s--covers a number of underdone melodies, from Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love" to the Guess Who's "Undun" with composer/original band guitarist Randy Bachman offering his sonic inflections to the song. Disc high points include the smokin' jam "It Might As Well Be Spring," the sexy bossa nova of original track "Something in the Air Between Us" and the beautiful cover of "Eli, Eli" by Second World War Holocaust hero and poet Hannah Senesh. It is a brave and haunting number that Milman does great justice to. --Denise Sheppard« less
Toronto's Sophie Milman has that rare ability to appeal to two often deeply separated worlds: those who like their jazz light and those purists who want their jazz heavy and nothing short of it. By having a more-than-capable traditional jazz band and challenging herself vocally to bring the swing, she has commanded respect from both camps. Milman's delivery is silky smooth, a gorgeous voice with a low register reminiscent of Fiona Apple and an upper register that brings Ella Fitzgerald's bounce and playfulness to mind. Like many jazz vocal discs, her sophomore release Make Someone Happy contains an abundance of covers, but some rather surprising in style. The often-done "Fever"?s arrangement is nothing like the original, containing more of an unnerving musical undercurrent than the traditional sultry one. Milman--who recorded this disc in her early 20s--covers a number of underdone melodies, from Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love" to the Guess Who's "Undun" with composer/original band guitarist Randy Bachman offering his sonic inflections to the song. Disc high points include the smokin' jam "It Might As Well Be Spring," the sexy bossa nova of original track "Something in the Air Between Us" and the beautiful cover of "Eli, Eli" by Second World War Holocaust hero and poet Hannah Senesh. It is a brave and haunting number that Milman does great justice to. --Denise Sheppard
Nice easy listening, jazzy vocal with nice style and deliver
Susanna Hutcheson | Midwest U.S.A. | 10/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"We used to call them touch songs. Maybe they still do. In fact some of the songs are the old Marlyn Maye songs, such as "People Will Say We're in Love." But each song is unique, with different styling.
The rhythm is superb. Sophie's voice is mellow and lucious. The instrumental great.
Her voice has a nice range in the lower vocal range. But she reaches some of the higher notes easily too. She is a very versatile singer.
This is a great, easy listening album.
Highly recommended."
Not as good as her first album.
Andrew Vincent Grimes | Seattle, WA | 07/21/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Sophie Milman at "Jazz Alley", in Seattle a few months ago and loved her. I had to buy her first album, when I was there. I was that impressed. She played a lot of songs from that album and a few songs from this one (which I enjoyed), but I think, as a whole, this album is slightly less impressive.
I was a little disappointed with her rendition of "Fever". My favorite version is Peggy Lee's, so that's a little tough to match.
This is a fine album, though and I recomend buying it."
She Shines Again On This Gorgeous Sophomore Album
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 10/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""I have to admit that when I made my first record, I knew very little about music. It was a hobby, a passion. But since the release of that record almost three years ago, music has become so much than a hobby and a passion. It has evolved into the best reflection of my experiences, emotions, and life. The last three years have been the most intense, stressful, difficult, turbulent, exciting, rewarding, and successful years of my life so far, and 'Make Someone Happy' is the product of all that. Making this record was a sort of a therapy." ~ Sophie Milman ~
That being said, Sophie Milman has truly developed into a fine jazz singer in such a short period of time and has earned her first major award at the 2008 Juno Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album of the Year for this album. Recorded and released in 2007, "Make Someone Happy" is a follow-up to her successful debut self-titled album, Sophie Milman [IMPORT DIGIPAK]. With the influx of contemporary female jazz vocalists singing the Great American Songbook, Ms. Milman, a fairly-new singer, is ahead of the game considering her impressive musical qualities. She has a crystal-clear and powerful voice. Her phrasing is impeccable and her singing is effortless. I believe these are the same qualities to be a great and remarkable jazz singer.
The repertoire is pretty eclectic - contemporary songs mixed with some of the finest standards ever written from the Great American Songbook. Most of the brilliant songwriters and composers in the Tin Pan Alley are represented in this wonderful album, the likes of Rodgers, Hammerstein, Styne, Van Heusen and Burke, to mention but a few.
"People Will Say We're In Love" is the perfect opener for this beautiful presentation where Milman shows off her knack for a light swing number, she also sings "Like Someone In Love" in the same swingy fashion. She then takes the listeners to a warm and cozy ambiance as she sings one of my favorites from this collection, "Something In The Air Between Us" richly flavored with Bossa Nova rhythm and heavily infused with lush string arrangement resulting in a lovely interpretation making it one of the best tracks. Another favorite track with a charming Bossa Nova beat is "Reste" (Stay) sung in French. "Make Someone Happy" and "Fever" are two of the highlights showcasing Milman's clarity of vocals and effortless singing. I love the way she reinvented a famous song from the Guess Who, "Undun" which takes me back in time when it was one of my very favorite songs. She surely gives "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" from the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" a new flair and style that makes it a welcome revival.
My choicest cut is Rodgers and Hart's "It Might As Well Be Spring," which is given the most effervescent treatment that will engage the listeners into the jazziest side of Milman and her band of fine musicians such as Cameron Wallis (tenor sax), Paul Shrofel (piano), Kieren Overs (bass), John Fraboni (drums) and Alan Hetherrington (percussion) who play their respective instruments with so much flair and verve.
My rule of thumb is try not to compare singers with one another, but I believe there's an exception to every rule ... I think there's a bit of Ella Fitzgerald, a twist of Julie London, and a touch of Jane Monheit in her. Moreover, she's one versatile and talented jazz singer, and fabulous at that! What's not to love about this album?
Wholeheartedly recommended.
"
A new young jazz diva
William S. Mccullough | valparaiso, in United States | 01/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been in the music biz for a long time in many different areas. I love all types of music but especially jazz. When you've listened to music for as long as I have you kinda get bored by the same old uninspired fluff that is around today. Enter Sophie Milman! This gorgeous young lady is the real deal! I love her smokey voice and her phrasing is beyond words. The arrangements could be a bit better. Each song had the lovely Sophie, bridge, then the lovely Sophie. More adventure, guys. That said, this is a cd I'll be listening to for a long long time!"
Half a Mile from Heaven
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 02/14/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sophie Milman's sophomore outing is my introduction to her music. The jazz treatment of Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love" may be my favorite on the disc with her vocals soaring, swooping and burning, "You took me riding in your rocket, you gave me a star, and a half a mile from heaven you dropped me back down to this cold cold world." On the classic "Make Someone Happy," Milman seems to settle into a lovely slow groove headed by Paul Shrofel's piano and Cameron Wallis' wailing saxophone solo. The light bossa nova sung in French on "Reste (Stay)" bubbles joyfully. Back several decades, I loved "Undun" by the Guess Who. Songwriter Randy Bachman guests on guitar on the track that shimmers with this swaying jazz treatment highlighted by Wallis' flute. The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "It Might As Well Be Spring" sparkles with Milman's upbeat arrangement. "So Long You Fool" is also a strong track. "Make Someone Happy" lives up to its title. It puts a smile on my face! Enjoy!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
Joe W. from MAITLAND, FL 
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