Nika Rejto - Teazing Socrates (2006)

A versatile flutist with a warm tone, impressive technique, and the ability to improvise while keeping the melody close by, Nika Rejto is the main star throughout this strong effort. The instrumentation constantly changes, ranging from solo flute and overdubbed duo flutes to duets with piano or guitar and sextet pieces. Rejto sings on "Hot Lites of the City" and guest vocalist Jennifer Lee is featured on "Once in a Lifetime." The music also explores a few jazz standards and ballads, original classical melodies, hints of Indian and Latin music, and pieces that cross quite a few musical boundary lines. Throughout it all, Nika Rejto's flute playing is consistently colorful and inventive, making this both an explorative and an accessible effort, easily enjoyed by anyone who likes the sound of a creative flute. © Scott Yanow