Anna, I love ya, gal!  Finally!  Just clarity!  In this age of melisma to the extreme, it's so great to hear someone like Anna.  I snicker when artists talk about their "craft," but Anna actually is a master of her particular craft.  Score #1: Anna is accurate, accurate, accurate.  And that's a big deal as a musician.  That's how you start building your work.  Score #2: Anna's phrasing is superb.  Being an arranger, she has a real understanding of what can come of a song from a simple melody to the finished product.  She makes standards unique to her.  Score #3: Can Anna scat?  Awww yeah! And, with scat, either you can do it or you can't... no in-between.  She's at "Ella" level... Nuff said.  Secret Love is just great piece of work... real maturity and artistry. Score #4:  The horn, man.  The horn.  Self-taught and such mastery... it's almost not fair.  Score #5:  Anna's an old friend of mine... and she has excellent taste... in both friends and music!
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Need I say more... that Anna Callahan and her swingin' combo deliver a sumptuously diversive, sensational, and thrilling sequel just right after her beautiful debut in, "My Ideal".  Her vocals are an engaging and voraciously delightful present for any jazz lover.  Her arrangements and originals distinctly showcase her splendid artistic value, which truly touches the shades of Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn, and Geri Allen.  Her trumpet is another essential core that could even make Chris Botti and Terence Blanchard feel some heat.  Anna's leadership and musicianship continues to show great command.  They balance and drive to explore new directions, just as jazz musicians are meant too.  This is a great follow-up and I encourage others to give this incredible musician her dues.  Hats off to Anna Callahan!!!
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