Album Review: Another Country by Cassandra Wilson

On her 19th album, Cassandra Wilson, ever the musical chameleon, changes directions once more. She is arguably the greatest living female jazz singer. Well known for her blues, soul, pop covers, and jazz standards, her smoky alto bends almost everything to its will. Wilson's phrasing is utterly unique, as original as any horn player's or pianist's music.

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With her Nina Simone-like low register and supple phrasing, charismatic Grammy-winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson could endlessly recycle her successful acoustic folk-blues repertoire. But with 2010's Silver Pony, and this similarly eclectic set made with the Italian guitarist and producer Fabrizio Sotti, she has revealed an eagerness to spread her wings. Sotti, a fine jazz guitarist with an occasional Django Reinhardt ring, has almost as much of the spotlight – and the light touch and subtle shading of this session, recorded in Florence, are also down to a French/Italian/Nigerian lineup featuring two percussionists (Mino Cinelu and Lekan Babalola), accordion and bass.

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The Mississippi singer’s 18th album radiates heartfelt warmth. Daniel Spicer 2012 The country referred to in the title of vocalist Cassandra Wilson’s 18th album is, presumably, Italy. The set was recorded over 10 days in Florence, and finds Mississippi’s favourite daughter sharing writing and recording duties with Italian guitarist Fabrizio Sotti, who worked with her on 2003’s Glamoured.

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MAYBACH MUSIC GROUP “MMG Presents: Self Made Vol. 2” (Maybach Music Group/ Warner Brothers) History has often regarded rappers and the labels to which they sign their extended crews with skepticism, as vanity projects handed out too easily and taken not seriously enough. Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group, though, will likely be remembered as a flood.

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