Mai-Liis On Life

Female singer-songwriters and jazz, they are quickly settled on the basis of comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones. The Canadian Mai-Liis is one of the few to pass the test.

On her debut she navigates perfectly between these two worlds. She wrote the lyrics herself, for the music she hired pianist Darin Clendenin. A winning combination ("Oh Well" is an instant standard) partly due to the carefully chosen accompanists with Clendenin's fixed rhythm section (bassist Clipper Anderson , drummer Mark Ivester ) and a number of guest musicians including saxophonist Cory Weeds, trumpet player Charlie Porter (his solo in "Fait Accompli" is an extension of the atmosphere in the theme song of "Bagdad Cafe") and accordionist David Lange (who can do everything). They color exactly where and how it should be. From melodic ballads to blues and samba with even a nod to Steely Dan and Kurt Weill.

After years of learning in local clubs and coffee shops, Mai-Liis deserves wider recognition. Mai-Liis On Life is the ideal calling card.