ANNE DUCROS - Urban Tribe (2007) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Anne Ducros' second Dreyfus CD is a mixed bag. After an impressive first effort for the label, this session opens with two dreadful numbers, a bland pop interpretation of the Beatles' "Sexy Sadie" (not one of the typical Beatles' pieces chosen by jazz musicians), and an annoying original by her pianist Oliver Hutman, "When I Know, If I Know," which sounds as if it was written during the heyday of disco. Fortunately, Ducros regains focus on the sound of jazz for the remaining tracks, scatting up a storm in "Up Jumped Spring," delivering a moving interpretation of the melancholy "I Fall in Love Too Easily," and offering a playful "Who Can I Turn To." Ducros does not take a lot of liberties with Otis Redding's soulful "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," though her decision to sing it as a duet with bassist Essiet Essiet keeps it from getting dull. Saxophonist Ada Rovatti is added on several tracks, providing a rich backdrop for the singer in a breezy setting of "Over the Rainbow." Drummer Bruce Cox provides excellent support throughout this disc. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1     Sexy Sadie    3:52
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
2     When I Know, If I Know    3:33
Olivier Hutman
3     Up Jumped Spring    5:21
Freddie Hubbard / Abbey Lincoln
4     I Fall in Love Too Easily    5:31
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
5     You and the Night and the Music    4:28
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
 6     Easy to Love    3:22 
Cole Porter
7     Stairway to the Stars    5:31
Matty Malneck / Mitchell Parish
8     Who Can I Turn To    5:01
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
9     Sitting on the Dock of the Bay    4:32
Otis Redding
10     Over the Rainbow    4:00
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
11     Green Dolphin Street    7:51
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington
Credits:
 Bruce Cox     Bells, Drums, Handclapping, Tambourine, Vocals (Background)
Anne Ducros     Arranger, Artistic Director, Handclapping, Musical Direction, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Essiet Essiet     Double Bass, Handclapping, Vocals (Background)
Olivier Hutman     Composer, Handclapping, Piano, Vocals (Background)
Ada Rovatti     Handclapping, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Vocals (Background)