ROSE MALLETT

DREAMS REALIZED

Carrie-on Productions

Rose Mallett, vocals; Robert Kyle, producer/arranger/saxophones/flute; Ron Hasley, producer/arranger/piano/strings; Jamison Trotter & Matt Politano, piano; Trey Henry, Keith Eaddy, David Miller & Tomas Gargano, bass; Mike Shapiro, Michael Turner & Quentin Dennard, drums; Tim Kobza, guitar; Munyungo Jackson, percussion; Nolan Shaheed, trumpet; Alex Burke, vibraphone; Yvette Devereaux, violin.

Rose Mallett has a way of taking popular songs and reinventing them to suit her style.  I was surprised by her arrangement of the Chaka Khan hit record, “Ain’t Nobody.”  She scooped it out of the R&B mode and made it into a jazz tune.

This was followed by the popular “Feelin’ Good” tune that she begins a ’Capella.  When the band joins her, they play it bluesy with the addition of strings on the bridge.  On “Funny Valentine” trumpeter and studio engineer, Nolan Shaheed shines during his solo. Mallett exposes her alto range during this vocal arrangement.  On Stevie Wonder’s “Creepin’” composition, they have recorded it as a waltz, and Robert Kyle soars on flute.

Mallett has chosen a diversified repertoire of songs that matter to her.  Every note is sung with purpose and belief. For example, on her interpretation of the Michel Legrand, Alan and Marilyn Bergman tune, “The Way He Makes Me Feel” I believe every lyrical phrase. Robert Kyle’s saxophone solo is beautiful. On the familiar tune, “It’s Impossible” Mallett shows both tenderness and honest emotion.  This arrangement is enriched with the dynamic guitar of Tim Kobza.

Rose Mallett shows her bluesy side on “Rock Me Baby” with the rich accompaniment of Matt Politano on piano, Quentin Dennard on drums, and Tomas Gargano on double bass who make up this rhythm section.   She closes her album with “If I Never Sing Another song” concluding the premise of her “Dreams Realized” album. On this project, Mallett reflects her strong belief in herself, her music, and her dreams.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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