An amazing singer who bills herself as a Japanese songbird, jazz and R&B vocalist Taeko Fukao has been performing and producing charming jazz vocal albums in New York for the past decade. “One Love” is Taeko’s fourth release and perhaps the best so far. Presenting passionate interpretations of various pop and jazz standards from the song books of such legendary composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mercer, Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen and Bob Marley, the music is light, jazzy and exceptional. Recorded in three different sessions between April of 2006 and March of last year, each session uses a different cast of musicians which include Misha Tsiganov, Harry Whitaker and Doug Richardson sharing the duties on piano. Gaku Takanashi and Dwayne Burno play bass while Richardson mans the drums on all but a couple of tracks. What is unmistakably noticeable from the outset is the lady’s vocal command and lush deep voice that reaches with ease. Just listen to her seductive interpretation of Jobim’s classic “Dindi” and you’ll be swayed. The knock out tune here is the melodically-rich “Would You Believe” where the lady hits the high notes and caresses the lyrics with tasteful elegance. Taeko voices a quick rendition of “It Could Happen To You” displaying her ample scatting skills which she repeats on other selections like on Frank Loesser’s “I’ve Never Been In Love Before.” For an unusual treat, you need to listen to “Hoshi-no Love Letter” and hear the vocalist sing in her native Japanese then lend your ears to the tune “Trav’lin Light,” to hear a beautiful love ballad sung to the heart. Definitely one heck of a jazz singer, Taeko Fukao’s graceful approach to the music leaves quite an impression on “One Love.” Armed with a beautiful voice and range, this is one lady of jazz who knows how to carry a tune and make it come alive.