Highly talented in the arts, singer/songwriter Flora Ware reaches well beyond the roots of jazz with her smooth vocal style on her latest album “Insight.” Ware’s voice is impressive with pure and polished clarity, yet there is a wonderful silky and sultry taste to it. She projects her voice with clean articulation only to be complemented by the dynamic and well-balanced instruments. Molded for a night club scene with a soft and subtle atmosphere, “You Don’t Know What Love Is” is sweet and has sophisticated elegance. Feel the relaxed orchestrated production on “I’ve Never Been In Love Before” as the horns dance around Ware’s graceful vocals and stunning lyrics. Flora Ware’s “Insight” is an album that has the versatility to mix jazz with R&B and pop with progressive, modern touches. This treasure of exquisite jazz songs will have listeners wanting more of this gifted artist, and is an album well worth listening to.

By Dean Gordon-Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 28, 2008 6:00 PM This nightclubby album is the second recording from Armstrong-raised Nelson-based jazz singer/songwriter Flora Ware. Insight is music for dim lighting and calls for candles, red wine and a mellow, relaxed ambiance. It is mood music with a slinky, sexy undercurrent. Although she doesn’t sing in French, Ware’s musical vibe recalls some of those groovy ‘60’s French female singers (France Gall, Jane Birkin) favoured by Serge Gainsborough. This touch of mystery and an urbane beatnik aura is prevalent through the whole disc but seems especially strong on Beautiful Love and From Now On. Ware’s voice and songs are smoky smooth and tastefully restrained. This is due to an emphasis on unhurried phrasing and warm tone, and Ware blends sweetly with trumpet and fluegel horn, producing a languorous effect in Save Your Love For Me. A jazz approach lingers on through these songs but seems more of a filter for material that is a blend of mature pop stylings and lounge-like grooves. These pop leanings and the use of electronic programming tend to create a Ray of Light- era Madonna effect on Feeling Good and Can’t Deny. These are solid songs that stray into the contemporary pop/rock area. The low-key production adds a dark lustre to the music and Ware’s uncluttered delivery is strong without the overkill that sometimes appears in R&B/jazz/pop singers. A gentle mood prevails on Ware’s Insight and the CD is a relaxed and sensuous little trip from the first song to the last.