Vocalist
Marley Munroe
(aka
Lady Blackbird
) evokes the maverick style of singer
Nina Simone
on her potent 2021 debut
Black Acid Soul
. Produced by
Chris Seefried
,
is
Munroe
's first full-length album following a handful of singles and several years of studio work and live performing. Much like
Simone
is blessed with a throaty, highly resonant voice that's well-suited to carrying a jazz standard, but which also fits nicely on dusky R&B ballads. Working with guitarist
Seefried
and an intimate ensemble of collaborators, including pianist
Deron Johnson
, bassist
Jon Flaugher
, and drummer
Jimmy Paxson
finds a spellbinding balance between acoustic jazz and live small group soul. She underlines the
connection from the start, opening with a burnished take of the legendary singer's classic "Blackbird," conjuring a menacing, earthy sensuality that perfectly sets the tone for what is to come. Part of what made
's classic work of the '60s and '70s so intriguing was her ability to take a song from any genre and make it her own.
has the same gift and displays it throughout, diving into an organ-tinged take on
Reuben Bell
's 1967 track "It's Not That Easy" and transforming
Bill Evans
' languid 1958 composition "Peace Piece" into a dreamily intoxicating tone poem called "Fix It." She even reworks the
James Gang
's 1969 "Collage" into a far-eyed modal number that draws equally from
John Coltrane
and the psychedelic band
Love
. While
's distinct influences and love of
certainly drives much of
, there's an immediacy and warmth to the album that feels all her own. ~ Matt Collar