Aubrey Johnson – Unraveled (Outside In Music)
Released – 20 March 2020

What’s the line from Monty Python?

“Now for something completely different.”

File it under “Jazz,” the accompanying document says. It’s a good thing, “jazz” is a broad category. Perhaps “Baroque Jazz” might be a better category for this set from Aubrey Johnson.

That’s how complex these arrangements are. The set opens with a cover, “No More I Love Yous,” previously written and recorded by David Freeman and Joseph Hughes as the group “The Lover Speaks” in the mid-80s, and then recorded as a hit for Annie Lennox ten years or so later. Ms. Johnson manages to take the manic craziness out of both of those recordings with her arrangement here – and also showcase both her vocal prowess and the talented group she’s assembled. There are two other covers – the Jobim/Oliveria classic “Dindi,” and adding a vocal track to Egberto Gismonti’s 1980 “Karate,” initially performed on a ten-string guitar, here backed by a very nimble Vítor Gonçalves on accordion.

The rest are original, either from Ms. Johnson or one of her bandmates. I’m particularly smitten with her “Love Again.” It manages to be delicate and robust all at once, and with “Lie In Wait,” a soaring story about hope against loss.

One is first seduced by her the range of her nimble voice but quickly taken in by the arrangements. I once admired the use of a tuba in a jazz ensemble. Here, a bass clarinet is featured and shines on several tracks, and the world can always use more accordion.

This set is handcrafted and unique.

Ms. Johnson both performs and teaches in New York – with an undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University (Go, Broncos!)

And who doesn’t love a gal from Kalamazoo?

Very highly recommended.