The Lyric Personnel:Jim Tomlinson -- tenor saxophone and percussion, Dave Newton --  piano, Dave Chamberlain  -- double bass, Matt Skelton – drums, Stacey Kent-- vocals (except 1 and 10 and Whistling (11) Tracks:Manha de Carnival, Corcovado, I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face, If I Were a Bell, I Got Lost in His Arms, What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?, Cockeyed Optimist, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, The Surrey With the Fringe on Top, Outra Vez, Jardin d’Hiver , Something Happens to Me, Stardust

Stacey Kent and Jim Tomlinson’s new release entitled “The Lyric” is an outstanding recording, emphasizing great standards and wonderful group playing. If you have not heard Stacey, she is a native New Yorker. Kent moved to England to study at Oxford several years back, met and married her saxophonist, Jim Tomlinson, and has put out a half-dozen highly regarded albums since, the most recent of which, "The Boy Next Door,"

The Lyric, the couple’s new release, Tomlinson writes in the liners,

“Although I’m an instrumentalist, I have always had a strong affinity for song. There is no more meaningful form of self-_expression for me than to play a ballad with the poetry of the lyric reverberating through me and guiding me. I hope my love of the lyric communicates itself sufficiently to justify the choice of the album title.:

In my mind, the title suits perfectly! Tomlinson will remind many of Getz, as Stan’s influence is very evident in Jim’s sound. But he’s more lyrical, almost as if he has transcribed more Chet Baker than Getz. I’m not saying he has, but his phrases reflect beautiful melodic statements that compliment his wife, Stacey perfectly.

To be sure, this is a wonderful concept album. The group playing is dynamic. They play dynamically and feel the groove in sync with one another. It’s a joy to listen to.

Tomlinson and Kent are joined by an outstanding rhythm section. What really impressed me the most about this trio, was there group interplay and attention to style. David Newton leads this group with very thoughtful and well-stated improvisations. There so good at times (his solo’s), you’d think he had written each melodic statement down and played them from a score. It’s refreshing to hear a mature player, play harmonically and melodically so well.

He’s accompanied by Matt Shelton on drums and Dave Chamberlain on bass. These guys play so well as a unit. Beautiful bass lines and swinging drums that never make themselves as more important than the group itself.

This brings us to Stacey Kent. Here voice is endearing and she really swings these standards. Jim and Stacey are throwbacks, who keep the music simple, and allow the music to speak for itself. Her pitch is outstanding and she knows how to communicate with a well-schooled jazz rhythm section.

If you haven’t heard these two, please pick up The Lyric by Tomlinson and Kent. The disc presents standards in a classic, old fashioned, a matter of fact kind of way!! These tunes from the American Songbook still have life and vitality when performed by those who are willing to play the music represented by an era in which they were composed.

Nothing is overplayed, and the music just feels, well….just right!!!

For more information about the music of Stacey Kent and Jim Tomlinson, please visit: StacyKent.com and JimTomlinson.com