Shigeko Suzuki - Winds Of My Heart (1997)

This recording is another vibrant album released by Shigeko Suzuki who in her own country is considered one of Japan's jazz queens, but elsewhere she is lesser known. It follows in the footsteps of Premiére (1995) and Brisa (1996), both which were well received. For this album she showcases twelve charming and lyrical jazz masterpieces. Shigeko is best at Latin styles such as bossa nova, samba, and rumba, and those talents are certainly highlighted here on a number of the tunes. What makes this album more of a standout is the inclusion of keyboardist Kenny Werner, who also acts as both producer and arranger for the album. Other great strengths are the addition of tenorist Harry Allen and guitarist Jay Azzolina whom both outstandingly input further sensitivity into the chosen pieces. The selected compositions fall roughly into two categories, one is in the Latin-style, and the other embodying some more familiar jazz standards. Shigeo's style is a lot softer than most divas, but she certainly displays her ability to shape notes delightfully and in this regard some of the highlights include "Someone's Waiting For You” - “Over The Rainbow", "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" and "What A Wonderful World" made famous by Louis Armstrong. Here, Kenny, re-jigs the tune, making Shigeko's interpretation a lot softer and deeper than the original. At first the album comes across as an easy listening affair, but on further appraisals there is great delicacy and depth conveyed by this fine Japanese vocalist, enjoy! 

Novus J, BVCJ-646, 1997
BMG Records, BVCJ-37592, 2007 

Musicians:
Shigeko Suzuki - Vocals
Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Werner - Piano, Synthesizer
Jay Azzolina - Guitar
Tony Marino - Bass
Jamey Haddad - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Wave {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (6:42)
02. The Shadow Of Your Smile {Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (5:49)
03. I Remember You {Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger} (3:47)
04. Colors Of The Wind {Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz} (4:21)
05. Beautiful Love {King, Young, Van Alstyne, Haven Gillespie} (3:40)
06. Someone's Waiting For You { Carol Connors, Sammy Fain, Ayn Robbins } /
Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg} (5:27)
07. Love Is Many-Splendored Thing {Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster} (4:53)
08. No More Blues {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius De Moraes} (3:04)
09. My Cherie Amor {Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy} (5:00)
10. What A Wonderful World {Bob Thiele, George David Weiss} (5:21)
11. The Gift [Recado Bossa Nova] {Luiz Bonfá, Matt Dubey} (5:15)
12. Two For The Road {Leslie Bricusse, Henry Mancini} (4:41) 

Total Time: 58:00