Song Spirit

This compilation of tracks by vocalist Sathima Bea Benjamin draws from throughout her career, ranging from her recording debut in 1963 up to 2002. Married to pianist Abdullah Ibrahim for most of her career, who joins her on a haunting duet of Rodgers & Hart's "It Never Entered My Mind" (the only previously unissued track), she is beautifully accompanied by pianists such as Kenny Barron, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Larry Willis, Stephen Scott, and the lesser-known Henry February. But the most intriguing track is from her debut recording (which was thought lost and was unreleased until 1996), where Duke Ellington provides stunning accompaniment in a challenging key requested by the singer to her marvelous interpretation of "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," with pizzicato violin added by Svend Asmussen at the composer's suggestion. This is an incredible portrait of a gifted jazz vocalist whose voice has matured like a fine wine over the decades.