Janet Planet - Just Above a Whisper (2006)

Janet Planet is one of many jazz singers who have been active for decades but not recorded nearly frequently enough. With a warm, engaging style, she enunciates clearly and never overplays her hand, paying attention to the lyrics rather than simply getting carried away in the moment. Her delightful collaboration with pianist John Harmon and nylon-string acoustic guitarist Gene Bertoncini is an intimate affair from start to finish, with a heavy dollop of time-tested standards and a few overlooked gems. Bertoncini's virtuoso backing of Planet's sensitive interpretation of "A Time for Love" proves to be a solid opener. Harmon joins them for a leisurely stroll through "But Beautiful." The friendly duet of "Estate" between Planet and Bertoncini may very well be the guitarist's first recorded vocal. Her rendering of "Close Enough for Love" is sensuous, while she also captures the wistful air of "Once Upon a Summertime." The playful take of "Girl Talk" and the swinging bop vehicle "To Be Yet Again" (jointly written by Planet and Harmon) provide a break from the ballads. After sitting through this flawless session, you can easily imagine the smiles of the three musicians as they completed each track.
(by Ken Dryden)