Toronto's Sophie Milman has that rare ability to appeal to two often deeply separated worlds: those who like their jazz light and those purists who want their jazz heavy and nothing short of it. By having a more-than-capable traditional jazz band and challenging herself vocally to bring the swing, she has commanded respect from both camps. Milman's delivery is silky smooth, a gorgeous voice with a low register reminiscent of Fiona Apple and an upper register that brings Ella Fitzgerald's bounce and playfulness to mind. Like many jazz vocal discs, her sophomore release Make Someone Happy contains an abundance of covers, but some rather surprising in style. The often-done "Fever"s arrangement is nothing like the original, containing more of an unnerving musical undercurrent than the traditional sultry one. Milman--who recorded this disc in her early 20s--covers a number of underdone melodies, from Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love" to the Guess Who's "Undun" with composer/original band guitarist Randy Bachman offering his sonic inflections to the song. Disc high points include the smokin' jam "It Might As Well Be Spring," the sexy bossa nova of original track "Something in the Air Between Us" and the beautiful cover of "Eli, Eli" by Second World War Holocaust hero and poet Hannah Senesh. It is a brave and haunting number that Milman does great justice to. --Denise Sheppard
Product Review
With her sophomore recording, vocalist Milman trumps her triumphant self-titled debut disc that's already sold almost 100,000 copies. This time on 13 songs, her already confident delivery is even more assured, her new maturity underscored in a well-chosen, eclectic program that finds space for covers of Stevie Wonder's "Rocket Love," the Guess Who's "Undun" and "Matchmaker, Maker" from Fiddler On The Roof. Her delicate title tune work is a delight, as is her cool take on "Fever," and while they hint at youthful innocence there are new reserves of understanding in her fresh interpretations. Top track: It's the unlikely lament of Kermit the Frog, yes, "It's Not Easy Being Green," that's an ever-so-subtle commentary on her life so far. Her future's full of promise she'll prove it again when she guests with barefoot diva Cesaria Evora at Roy Thomson Hall June 28. The record's in stores June 19. --Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star
Editorial Reviews