San Francisco has seen some fabulous jazz vocalists roll through town in recent weeks, Karyn Allison, Rhondi Charleston and Ann Dyer to name but a few. I'm happy to add Lisa Engelken's name to that esteemed list with her latest effort, "Little Warrior".Engelken builds on the success of her previous and critically acclaimed album "Caravan", with a musical journey that takes the listener to far away places like Brazil, conjures melodies of Wayne Shorter or pays homage to works of Joni Mitchell and her works with Jaco Pastorius. However Engelken never imitates, and adds her own unique and fresh arrangements, making "Little Warrior" a another gem in her sparkling catalogue.
"Little Warrior" begins with the "Foggy Bottom", (perhaps a nod to the One Step Down, an old jazz club in Washington, DC which Engelken's former stomping grounds and once home to the late, great Shirley Horn who regularly performed there), is a beautiful tune with Hammond organ, trumpet and a funky groove that made me want to dance on Pennsylvania Avenue again.
"Viva la felicita", is one of my personal favorites; absolutely gorgeous and reminded me a bit of both the Brazillian singer Flora Purim and the horn section of the group Chicago at their grooving best. Songs like "You Wear Those Eyes", "Throw It All Away" are also great examples of not only Engelken's vocal talents;t her deft arrangements and use of the horns and organ were just wonderful and full of what I like to call admirable restraint; a perfect blend of beauty and power.
The title cut "Little Warrior"continued to pleasantly surprise, with drummer Matt Swindell propelling the horn section to new heights, along with the hilarious and mischievous "Housemate from Hell" and the fabulous trumpet work, piano and drumming on "Sea Journey", finds Engelken "letting her hair down" and the band in full swing.
"Undertow" feature Engelken's lyrics over the classic Wayne Shorter tune "Nefertiti", one of my all-time favorites. Like her treatment of Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" on her previous album, (yet another favorite!), Engelken doesen't disappoint, and I absolutely loved her arrangements and rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire".
Engelken close the album with the balladic "Blue Valentines" and the lovely little "All I Do is Dream of You", featuring some tasty brush work by Swindell, who continues to support Engelkens music in a fashion most admirable.
"Little Warrior" is perhaps Engelken's best effort to date, and her prowess as both a fantastic jazz singer, as well as an accomplished arranger and composer can no longer be denied, if it ever was.
Bravaccio Piccolo Guerriero!
