Customer Reviews

Introducing Robin McKelle

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

INTRODUCING, Robin McKelle's debut album, is already a best seller in the USA and Europe. Critics compare her voice to Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.
Produced by Willie Murillo (Brian Setzer Orchestra producer, Aimee Mann, LeAnn Rimes) the album announces the arrival of a song interpreter without equal. Be prepared. It's a remarkable voice; a soul-infused alto tinged with haunting echoes of the postwar jazz greats and now its possessor has inched closer to her inevitable destiny in the spotlight.
It's rare to find a vocalist mining the Forties big band seam who really makes you sit up and take notice. New Yorker McKelle has a rich alto, packed with sass and phrasing reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan: she's the real deal.
'The Forties: I was born to be in that time, I swear...' is singer Robin McKelle's comment on the nostalgic atmosphere that permeates her debut recording, and there are indeed numerous musical reminders of the swing-band singer's heyday throughout this immediately appealing album.
McKelle's voice is most obviously inspired by Ella Fitzgerald: first and foremost, what you hear is the song, impeccably presented, faultlessly sung, occasionally tastefully embellished, but never over-interpreted or used merely as a springboard either for vocal gymnastics or the display of personal emotion.
This is not to suggest that McKelle is not affecting ­ her strings-backed 'For All We Know', for instance, is suitably touching ­ but simply that her clear priority is to showcase what she calls 'these wonderful love stories between men and women'.
Versatile enough to infuse the likes of 'Bei Mir Bist Du Schon' or 'I've Got the World on a String' with appropriate pep, float tastefully over the Basie-like chug of, say, 'The Lamp is Low', or go for broke on the album's opener, 'Something's Gotta Give', McKelle does a great job of setting out her stall on Introducing...; refreshingly free from the apparently obligatory contemporary 'classic' and concentrating entirely on the standard's golden age, this album is unashamedly directed at those who like their classic songs respectfully addressed, their settings punchy but unshowily informal.

Robin McKelle's debut album is a treasure. A solid first offering from a great talent. The production values and arrangement are true to the genre and yet appropriate to our time. Thank you, Robin. I look forward to many hours of enjoyment, and I cannot wait for your next offering. Authentic, yet fresh...

If you like jazz "torch" singers with a lot of feeling go for this one. But if you don't like current swing `40's big band and ballad type swing that is upbeat and uptone, pass. If, on the other hand, you like big brass jazz and have a soft spot for swing with a singer that exudes high passion and emotion (- the hair standing up kind -) this is the one for you. That's how she makes me feel and music is all about feeling.

On this album she's been aligned with Ella or Sarah, and she does have that feeling, but she has her own style if you listen.

If you want more on a quieter side but with raised passion in her voice and scat, look around for her first album "Never Let Me Go" from 1999. It's hot. Small group and huge sound, but 7 years between albums, ouch.

So Enjoy.
Lee
Clearwater, FL

Hey Robin is young and she has got it! Her voice is ageless and I can't wait to see wht else she comes out with down the line. It's not easy living up to legends and she does just fine. My favorite tracks so far...Night and Day...I've Got the World on a String. The arrangements and orchestrations are enthusiastic. Buy the CD and enjoy her silky voice. Don't listen to me or anyone else. Listen for yourself.

Wow,check out "Bei Mir Bist du Shon"! What a great rendition and voice; The whole disk is worth a serious listen (or many). Plug it into your car and you will be driving around the block until you get to hear it all. I could say "Bella Bella" or even "wunderbar". Worth the money.

Robin's style crosses the 40's and 50's big band singers but it's a combination that works. Her voice is strong and smooth with a touch of uniqueness that kept the CD in my car stereo all summer long. She has a deep respect and appreciation for the music. The band is rock solid behind her. What would have made the CD even better is if she would have picked a few more of the unheard tunes from the Great American Songbook. "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon", for instance, isn't over recorded and the Latin-tinged arrangement blew me away as did the fun duet "You Brought a New Kind of Love". Overall, a terrific debut that left me wanting more. I'm so glad I was "introduced" to Robin McKelle.

The band is great; the arrangements superb; the vocalist, fabulous.

The reviews I've read of Robin McKelle's debut recording have strongly recommended keeping a close eye on her. On that basis, I picked up the cd. Noting the play list, I asked "how many times more can these warhorses be recorded?" But you really haven't "heard it and done it" until you've allowed Ms. McKelle to work her magic. She has a great voice and tremendous style. Above all, she tastefully turns a phase better than most vocalists post-Ella (there is a resemblance). Plus, she swings mightily, assisted by a really fine big band.

Try it, you'll really dig Robin McKelle.

Unlike anything I've heard in the past 6 years, Robin's smooth voice and the band's retro sound transport you to slower times that were more personable and touchable. I'm looking forward to her next CD!

Just a phenomenal record. Great choise of songs, fantastic arrangements...the whole nine yards. I'd give it 6 stars if I could

The introducing of Robin McKelle is really incredible. The band fits perfect with the warm voice of Robin.