Dianne Reeves - Beautiful Life (2013)

Dianne Reeves is among the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world. In her first studio album in five years, Reeves delivers what is destined to become a soul-jazz classic. The album, Beautiful Life, also marks a new relationship with Concord Records —which is not entirely new: Reeves was featured in George Clooney’s six-time Academy Award nominated “Good Night, and Good Luck,” and performed every song on the Grammy-winning soundtrack which was released on Concord Jazz.

Beautiful Life is comprised of 12 songs that have touched Reeves’ spirit in different ways and are rendered in such a way that will appeal to jazz and non-jazz fans alike. Mixing in her love of collaboration, the four-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist has now teamed up with a stunning array of peers including Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, George Duke, Gregory Porter, Gerald Clayton, Lalah Hathaway, Richard Bona and her producer Terri Lyne Carrington.

The album simmers and smolders throughout, starting off with a mesmerizing makeover of the Marvin Gaye classic, “I Want You.” The choice for this song was influenced by the music Reeves grew up listening to at a time when categories and boundaries were not as finite as they are today. Reeves says, “I always loved Marvin Gaye. Not just because he was a great singer, but because his music was soul steeped in jazz.”

Tracklist:

01. I Want You (4:55)
02. Feels So Good (Lifted) (4:24)
03. Dreams (5:17)
04. Satiated (Been Waiting) (5:35)
05. Waiting In Vain (6:32)
06. 32 Flavors (5:24)
07. Cold (6:11)
08. Wild Rose (5:48)
09. Stormy Weather (7:59)
10. Tango (6:34)
11. Unconditional Love (For You) (5:40)
12. Long Road Ahead (3:58)