Fluid melodies, sultry, jazz-inflected vocals and introspective, literate lyrics define Sonya Heller's most recent CD, Fourth Floor. The tunes meander too much to be pop and the writing's too folky to be jazz; instead Heller hits a sophisticated sweet spot somewhere in between. The CD's mood is pretty steady throughout, but her vocal range and flights of fancy keep it interesting.
Her supporting musicians, especially producer Hui Cox, make important contributions to the sophisticated sound of this recording, but it's Heller's softly funky acoustic guitar and controlled, tranquil, yet worldly and sometimes experimental vocals that drive the music. Think Joni Mitchell meets David Crosby on the shady side of Annie Lennox Street.
Sonya Heller, Fourth Floor
