JEANNE LEE — Natural Affinities (1992-2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Jeanne Lee was always an unusual singer, one of the most adventurous to emerge out of the 1960s in jazz. Listening to this 1992 recording, one hears many moments that sound a bit like Cassandra Wilson would a decade later. Lee has a warm but dark voice, often floating as part of the ensemble rather than dominating the music, although in reality she is the dominating force. During this set, although there are conventional moments (particularly a straightforward "I Thought About You" and parts of the closing number, which is Brazilian-oriented), much of the haunting music is quite atmospheric and beyond any specific style. "Mingus Meditations" has Lee at a couple points reciting the words of Charles Mingus from his semi-fictional memoirs, "Peace Chorale" and "Free Space" are not too conventional, and in some spots Lee gives prominent roles (even during her vocals) to bassist Dave Holland, trumpeter Leo Smith, and altoist Mark Whitecage. The overall results are intriguing and will take several listens to fully appreciate.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Mingus Meditations 12:06
Dave Holland / Jeanne Lee / Charles Mingus
Bass, Music By – Dave Holland
Vocals, Music By – Jeanne Lee
Words By – C. Mingus
2 I Thought About You 5:04
James Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Music By, Lyrics By – J. Van Heusen, J. Mercer
Piano, Vocals – Paul Broadnax
Vocals – Jeanne Lee
3 Journey to Edaneres 12:22
Gunter Hampel / Jeanne Lee
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Piano, Vocals – Amina Claudine Myers
Vibraphone, Flute, Music By – Gunter Hampel
Vocals, Lyrics By – Jeanne Lee
4 Peace Chorale I/Bushwacked/Peace Chorale II 8:37
Jeanne Lee
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Music By – Jay Clayton
Trumpet – Leo Smith
Vocals – Jeanne Lee
Words By – Lao Tse
5 Free Space 2:52
Sharon Freeman
Alto Saxophone – Mark Whitecage
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Music By, Lyrics By – L. Sharon Freeman
Trumpet – Leo Smith
Vocals – Jeanne Lee
6 Trilogy 10:46
L. Michael Smith
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Trumpet, Music By, Lyrics By – Leo Smith
Vocals – Jeanne Lee
7 Ambrosia Mama/Celebration of a State of Grace 8:00
Jeanne Lee / Ntozake Shange
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Newman Baker
Guitar – Jerome Harris
Lyrics By – N. Shange
Vocals, Music By – Jeanne Lee