Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious

The bassist and vocalist Kelsey Mines makes an impression with this contemporary jazz debut that embraces her time with classical and experimental ideas, too.

"Self-Alchemization" opens with John Hansen's warm keys that suit cozy vocal scatting in the dreamy climate, and the title track follows with Beserat Tafesse's rich trombone and Elsa Nilsson's lush flute complemeting Mines' frisky bass.

Halfway through, "Staying With The Trouble" moves softly via the intimate bass and Machado Mijiga's gentle drums, while "Até" is a quick and perky album highlight that blends flute, bass and Jeff Busch's well timed percussion together with melody and charm.

Near the end, "Slow Moving" is indeed calm in its poetic delivery, and "Marcy's Regret" exits with a busy and layered interaction between the players that's harmonic and timeless.

An effort that often surrounds reflection and peace, Mines pens an unpredictable and really enjoyable step into modern jazz territory.