From the other end of the music spectrum comes Torch and the CD "Charmed." Led by vocalist/songwriter Seela Misra, Torch — guitarist/songwriter Chris Vestre and drummer Jon Greene and a cadre of talented collaborators — has put together a collection of warm, organic songs that are part classic pop, part jazz, part eclectic.

Torch will celebrate the release of "Charmed" Friday night at Luna. Showtime is 9 p.m.

With an inspired mixture of standards ("Caravan," "Alone Together," "Love Me or Leave Me") and originals by Misra, Vestre and Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Torch adds to the book while keeping it fresh, alive and jumping for a new generation. Some of the tracks were recorded in a studio, some were recorded live at the Elephant Room, a cool jazz club in downtown Austin.

Misra has a sultry voice that's perfectly suited for delivering the torch songs from which the band takes its name. But she also has a singing songwriter's approach to making music, which prevents her from simply delivering them by rote. Vestre and Greene are fellow travelers, which is why they work together so well.

"Charmed" is a beautiful piece of work. The song selection; the live/studio mixture; guests including Newcomb, bassists Chris Maresh and Mike Porter, keyboard player Evan Jacobs, saxophonist David Chenu and trumpeter Ephraim Owens; and the confident vocal work of Misra make for a compelling disc that transcends boundaries, genres and generations.
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