BWW Reviews: RACHEL SORSA Band Releases Sumptuous Jazz CD SISU

Sisu is sheer delight for lovers of jazz, blues and soul. With a sound that is passionate and seductive, vocalist Rachel Sorsa's soft, high-pitched delivery is like that of a little girl...kittenish and erotic a la Eartha Kitt. Add great musicians Andy Allen on bass, Preston A. Gould on trumpet, Gus Duffy on drums and Serge Kasimoff at the piano, and what you come up with is one savory musical banquet.

Sisu is a Finnish word meaning determination, bravery and displaying courage in the face of adversity. With her varied assortment of original and traditional compositions, Sorsa hopes to inspire. As she advises: hold still, breath deeply and reach out! It's sage advice for anyone caught up in the turmoils of life, to simply relax and enjoy. Music has a strangely magical power over the way we feel, and the Rachel Sorsa Band delivers in spades.

Of the originals, I was smitten with "Mamma's Song" almost as much as :"Miss Celie's Blues" from The Color Purple, which enthralls me every time I hear it. Sorsa's unfettered, playful delivery on this is pure gold. Also appealing are the sexy "A Sleepin' Bee", and a glorious "round Midnight". The arrangement o of "You & the Night & the Music" turns the song upside down, inside out, like you have never heard it before. Uniquely lush sounds are present in this one as well as in the captivating finale of the deliciously delirious "Wild is the Wind".

Sorsa is a sassy presence both onstage and on record. That acting style infuses her music, making it a truly special listen.

If you like jazz, blues and soul, Sisu is a must-have in your collection. Put it on the stereo, sit back, close your eyes and...savor the artistry of Rachel Sorsa and her band!

To attend the CD release party at the Baked Potato Sunday March 15, visit: www.facebook.com/events/1080676778615267/