Barbara Striesand came to mind more than once while listening to Luba Mason on her new decidedly adult contemporary jazz flavored new release Krazy Love. Drawing comparison to a long-standing talent like Ms. Striesand could never hurt one’s career. Everyone likes to maintain their own identity but comparisons are inevitable mainly if it’s pleasantly obvious and in this case that factor applies and works to the singer’s strong points and the presentation value of this album.
Husband Ruben Blades appears as a guest vocalist on the Latino track “E Com Esse Que Eu Vou,” which I had a hard time spelling never mind saying. It works well and they sound made for each other as the give and take on the track. Regardless of any language barriers there were for my ears, this was an enjoyable track just the same and very well done. The next track Luba goes it alone on “Olhos nos Olhos” and proves that she has what it takes to jump easily back and forth with different styles, languages, and musical genres. This is the juncture that her many talents fuse on Krazy Love.
The musicianship and production on this album is very good as well. The band is Renato Neto (piano and keys), Jimmy Haslip (bass) who has built quite a reputation for himself as a bass player over the years, Cassio Duarte (percussion), Marco Costa (drums) and Sandro Albert (guitar), who is exceptionally talented and provides some nice smooth tones and moods to support Luba’s vocals. Some distinguished guests besides Blades are the legendary Hubert Laws (flute on “My House”), Andy Martin (trombone) and Frank Marocco (accordion). It is no wonder this recording sounds so polished and readymade for any jazz station’s playlist and it crosses over to Latin-Jazz quite nicely as well.
Luba Mason should be a name that you will hear more often over the next few years. It is always a good introduction to a jazz artist to do some favorable well-known covers, especially if they are performed with heart and soul. The next time out I would love to hear some more improvisational work with the music and original songs from Ms. Mason and I would anticipate that being something very special indeed. Until then there is plenty to enjoy on this CD.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 25, 2009
