Claire Martin - Too Much in Love to Care - Winnipeg Free Press

For her first U.S. studio album in 15 years, British singer Claire Martin performs 13 love songs from the Great American Songbook with, fittingly, a band of great American jazz musicians led by pianist Kenny Barron.

It was well worth the wait.

Martin performs a mix of duets with Barron, such as Embraceable You, and ensemble pieces with the superb team of Peter Washington on bass, Kenny Washington on drums and Steve Wilson on saxophone and flute.

Martin and Barron are so in sync they sound as if they have been performing together for years -- check their version of How Long Has This Been Going On? for proof.

Using the Washingtons -- two-thirds of the great Bill Charlap piano trio -- was a brilliant stroke; they are so supportive to both singer and pianist. Listen to Wilson's alto sax on Lazy Afternoon.

Martin is a great, expressive singer who makes these standards shine, and who deserves the greater North American exposure this disc should give her.