Reviewed by Tony Cummings

(annescott.willcox@virgin.net)

Big band jazz only occasionally used as a vehicle for gospel proclamation so this British project, featuring Britain's New Backbeat Band with singers Nanette Courtnay and Debbie Cottrell is well worth a listen. Nanette is probably best known to Cross Rhythms readers as Nanette Welmans, and as she shows on “How Excellent Is Your Name” is a fine singer, able to handle the cadences of jazz. More problematic is Debbie Cottrell’s contributions. Although an excellent vocalist, her sweet toned, classically trained voice simply doesn’t suit the jazz genre and despite excellent Scott Willcox band arrangements, her contributions often sound stiff and stilted. But worth checking out for the sublime Ms Courtenay, plus some tasty blowing from sax men Steve Main and Peter Cook.

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