Vocalist and songwriter Aimée Allen is a New York City based jazz artist that exemplifies the creativity and open mindedness of a up-to-the-minute jazz vocalist. Allen is just as comfortable creating her own songs and lyrics as she is in re-imagining the long lineage of jazz standards in a current and meaningful way. Her original lyrics are thought-provoking and well-conceived. Allen has released her fifth album titled, Wings Uncaged, which contains eleven tracks, five outstanding originals and six creatively arranged standards. Allen’s warm voice is accompanied by: François Moutin on acoustic bass, Billy Test on piano and Kush Abadey on drums. Together they create a vastly different experience than the standard vocal jazz fare, that offers depth and reverence, while pushing the idiom forward. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
An excellent collection of new and well-known tunes that offer a flow which is entertaining and creative, with each release Allen hones her writing skills with a magnificent flair. Allen is an energetic and technically accomplished vocalist; the band is equally skilled, especially Moutin.
Bottom Line:
Wings Uncaged is a meaningful collection of tunes brought to life by Aimée Allen’s amazing and darkly hued vocals. Allen has many virtues that make her vocal style standout: her diction is excellent, she understands the music which allows her interpretations of the standards to very unique and compelling, she balances her jazz identifications with the ability to convey a melody clearly. Allen will mesmerize you with her voice and style. Her originals offer beautiful lyrics and she conveys them with heart-felt passion. A track of special note is: “Democracy How (Harmony and Dissonance),” well worth the price of admission.