Nikke Sloane

Carol Sloane has long been one of jazz's more underrated singers. On her Contemporary CD, Sloane holds her own with some illustrious sidemen (flugelhornist Art Farmer, tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Akira Tana); her two duets with Burrell ("I Wish I'd Met You" and "For All We Know") are among the high points, along with "Love You Madly," "That Old Devil Called Love" and "Getting Some Fun Out of Life." This is a strong effort that finds Carol Sloane in prime form.

With acclaimed recordings of the Symphonies and selected orchestral works, Cpo has gone some way in demonstrating this American composer was one of the twentieth century’s most important composers. Antheil wrote his one act opera The Brothers in 1954. The libretto, penned by Antheil himself, drew on the biblical story of Cain and Abel. Its setting is the working-class world of post-war America, and the four men and one woman presented by Antheil on stage are all damaged and traumatized.

Carol Sloane's Romantic Ellington lives up to the title's promise, collecting some of Duke Ellington's most romantic songs, including "Come Sunday," "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing," "Prelude to a Kiss," "In My Solitude," "Lush Life" and "Tonight I Shall Sleep." Sloane's vocals are both sultry and accomplished, completing the album's aura of worthiness.