Beneath the Skin

Nnenna Freelon's latest album, Beneath the Skin, is a concept album about looking within. Of the ten songs here, Freelon co-wrote nine of them. She certainly pulled together an amazing squad to bring these compositions to life, featuring Alan Pasqua on keys, Keith Ganz on guitar, Evan Roberson on trombone, Shana Tucker on cello, Jonathan Richards on bass and Steve Hass on drums, this band can play whatever Nnenna's got on her mind, from the slyly swinging "Black Iris," to the Cassandra Wilson-esque "Widow Song," or the end of the night vibes of "Here's Your Hat." Freelon's always been a capable singer with chops and willing to take some chances, so there's few surprises on Beneath the Skin. But there certainly is a deeply personal feel to the album, and I, for one, am grateful, for the glimpse into one artist's soul.