Charenee Wade, an award-winning young American vocalist and educator currently making waves in both jazz and soul/R&B circles, has made herself the first woman to devote an entire album to the work of Gil Scott-Heron – and turned this tough call into a triumph of emotional empathy, intelligence and assured technique. An early Wade influence was Sarah Vaughan, and that legend’s poise and majestic sound audibly guide her still, as does the razor-sharp agility of Betty Carter. Peace Go With You Brother draws sermonising eloquence from Christian McBride’s spoken oration, Ain’t No Such Thing As Superman finds Wade in swooping flight over a fizzing groove, and she’s in hauntingly soulful mode on Essex/Martin, Grant, Byrd & Till, amid the rich reed sounds of saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and Marcus Miller on bass clarinet. Wade’s fine band also includes the excellent Nnenna Freelon pianist Brandon McCune, guitarist Dave Stryker, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, and bassist Lonnie Plaxico – sympathetic purveyors of warmth and funkiness to fittingly frame this gifted newcomer’s talents.
