Blessed & Bewitched

Maja Jakupovic, known artistically as Maja Jaku, is originally from Kosovo, and here she has returned with her fifth album. Recorded over two days in February last year she brought together a band to record five of her originals and two standards, Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Alan Bartuš (piano), Dezron Douglas (bass), Johnathan Blake (drums) and Adrian Varady (drums/percussion). The result is a laid-back soft jazz album where it is all about her wonderful vocals, with the guys providing touches here and here which allows her voice to shine even more.

This is music which immediately evokes the feeling of a very dark jazz club, where the band are in the shadows, as are the audience, and the single spotlight is on the singer, who keeps everyone entranced. She reminds me of the guitarists who know it is not all about speed, but instead is about the melody and consequently are far superior to shredders, as here it is effortless and we all know she can throw all the vocal tricks but has no need to do so as she is so confident in her ability to hold the listener in the palm of her hand at all times. When the musicians do make an entrance, such as the delightful trumpet solo on opener "The Witch", it is kept in the same manner so no one person allows their ego to take centre stage, as this is all about the voice. It is a simply beautiful jazz album, warm and inviting, which feels like it is coming to us straight from the Golden Age, and not a brand-new recording at all. I have relaxed into this album, and thoroughly enjoyed all Maja has to offer, and anyone who likes this style of jazz will also find this a wonderful release.