Claire Martin - He Never Mentioned Love - The Scotsman

Claire Martin has remained at the top of the ever-growing heap of UK jazz singers over the past decade and more. This latest disc, her 12th for the Glasgow-based Linn Records, is her tribute to the work of the great American jazz singer Shirley Horn, who died in 2005. As with the best tributes, she puts her own imprint on material associated with Horn and includes a song she wrote in her memory, Slowly But Shirley (slow tempos, of course, being one of Horn's hallmarks).

Martin is a mature artist with a real understanding of the music, and is supported by an excellent trio led by pianist Gareth Williams, with guests that include Scottish guitar maestro Jim Mullen and Skye-based saxophonist Nigel Hitchcock.