NEW RELEASES

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CLEO LAINE

“Jazz”

RCA

Laine’s credentials as a jazz singer have been debated, but there is no question about the value of the company she keeps here--and no disagreement over the way the highly regarded musicians help steer her in the right direction.

Toots Thielemans on harmonica and Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax are heard in vocal versions of their own tunes “Bluesette” and “Walking Shoes.” Clark Terry revives Ellingtonian memories with “Just a Sittin’ and a-Rockin’.” The other guests include Jane Ira Bloom on soprano saxophone and Mark Whitfield on guitar.

Arranger-saxophonist John Dankworth is a key factor, as always, in his wife’s success, as she applies her smoky timbre and broad British A’s to “Midnight Song,” “I Told You So” (an intriguing song by Duncan Lamont) and the Dankworths’ own “Won’t You Tell Me Why.” This set has unusual jazz-to-pop crossover potential.

Albums are rated on a scale of one asterisk (poor) to five (a classic).