(32 Records)
The Jazz Passengers' second album is a tour de force of traditional jazz retooled for these retro-modern times, where cocktail music and hipsterish cafe culture have made a definite comeback.
Debbie Harry is the vocalist, after singing as a guest on the last album - and despite the presence of "The Tide is High" this ain't no Blondie. With her in front the group conveys the romance and smarts of an imagined downtown scene.
Harry is a natural as a smoky diva - she has the requisite flattened jazz phrasing down, and she's a driving force for the band. On such excursions as "Maybe I'm Lost" and the sultry "Lil' Darlin" she gives as good as she gets. "Imitation of a Kiss" is a torch song worthy of a Coppola or Altman film. The other high profile voice here belongs to Elvis Costello, who duets with Harry on the comic you-didn't-catch-me-cheating exchange "Don'cha Go 'Way Mad," one of many highball highlights of the record. Costello also solos on the rush-hour changes of "Aubergine" - he's been in this territory before, and is suitably comfortable.
The group itself is a fluent ensemble on horns, guitar, vibes, bass, piano and drums, taking samba and reggae turns (on a remake of "The Tide is High") within a coterie of jazz styles. The humor of the lyrics on "Pork Chop" seems a little forced, but apart from that the Passengers and Harry (and Costello, whose contributions add immensely to the proceedings) find a smooth groove nearly all the way through.
For its many mysterious charms and sense of dangerous, ludicrous fun, this Valentine's Day release is highly recommended, for lovers would-be or otherwise.
