New album review in Take Effect

“A long running jazz vocalist who cut her teeth in California’s Central Valley scene, Karen Marguth collaborates with 3 different groups on these tracks that were recorded over the past decade.

“Comes Love” starts the listen with Richard Giddens’ carefully plucked bass as Marguth’s expressive vocals enter the cautious and adventurous jazz climate that benefits much from David Aus’ warm piano, and “Until” follows with Mike Taylor’s spirited guitar work and Eva Scow’s precise mandolin as Marguth’s radiant pipes match the playful delivery.

Approaching the middle, “What Color Is Love” recruits Gilbert Castellanos’ soulful trumpet and Brian Hamada’s gentle drumming for the sublime landscape, while “Hearts And Bones” offers plenty of light melodies amid Marguth’s versatile singing. “Close Your Eyes”, one of the album’s best, then leads with a stirring intimacy before Dan Feiszli’s meticulous bass and Aus’ acrobatic keys align with much fluidity.

Nearing the end, “Old Friends/Bookends” finds a very stylish and dynamic place to reside, where the keys, drums and bass all complement the beauty of the singing, and “Days Of Wine And Roses” exits the listen with a poetic, intimate and very pretty finish that was recorded live in 2014.

This 5th album as bandleader has Marguth taking a commanding and accomplished position, where her interpretations of classic songs makes for a very charming and diverse listen that swings triumphantly, and also finds itself in sparse moments of timeless introspection. “