Preface: Since Groove Theory's "Tell Me" appeared on Chicago's own 107.5 WGCI and her picture was featured in Right On magazine, I have been a fan of Amel Larrieux. I am an Amel Larrieux groupie, I mean "band-aid". My fanaticism had gotten so bad that I worked in NY as her intern in the Summer of 2000. In my eyes, Amel Larrieux can do no wrong. However, I will do my best to do this review with the upmost journalistic objectivity.

The first note you hear on "Sophisticated Lady" is from the first instrument known to humankind, the " voice", and what a voice Amel Larrieux has. This song is unlike anything that Amel has produced before, Amel is singing strictly jazz. Her resonating vibrato is perfectly befitting to this Duke Ellington standard. Amel sings this song as if she was right there by Ellington's side when this song was written. While others on the Red, Hot & Indigo compilation chose to update the songs in their own cute little way, Amel sings this song straightforward, pure, and true--untainted by today's need to re-create songs in a new millienum style. Amel's rendition of Sophisticated Lady is timeless.

At times Amel seems to humble her vocal range and ability as to not overshadow the legendary Clark Terry but still sings with the most sincere of emotions; you can hear it in her voice in between the notes. "Sophisticated Lady" is best heard before you go to bed because it tends to "drag" as most jazz tunes do to young ears. At any rate, be prepared to be transported to another time and thank the Lord there are singers today(not just in the jazz genre) that can still provide us with audio vignettes of music's past.

Editor's Note: The sentiments expressed here are not representative of those felt by the site's owner. Do not get it twisted, he's the groupie, not I.