All or Nothing

JAZZ VOCAL

Trineice Robinson-Martin is a vocal performance instructor at Princeton. On her debut album as a performer, we get an interesting mix of pop & jazz standards, R&B covers, and some original composition. Her most notable accompanist here is pianist Cyrus Chestnut.

FCC clean Be Sharp (Dec 29, 2021)

Note: tracks 7 & 8 are switched on the back cover listing.

1 * Fast. One of Sinatra’s early hits, here it’s much quicker & jazzier. An introduction for the band with a sax solo & piano solo. Strong vocal as well incl some scat singing. (4:59)
2 * Fast. Oft-recorded Wayne Shorter tune. Powerful with much Latin percussion. (4:01)
3 ** Mid-tempo. Very credible cover of Marvin Gaye’s classic protest song. Stylishly done with some updated lyrics. (6:31)
4 Very slow. A lovely prayer by Duke Ellington done with just voice & piano. (5:50)
5 Slow then mid-tempo. Orig intro slides into 30s standard. Billie Holiday, many others have done this one. Good nightclub jazz. (4:29)
6 Very slow torch song with a fine piano solo. Plus the merest hints of bass & drums. (5:00)
7 ** Fast. Bouncy & syncopated bebop vocals & accompaniment. Entertaining. (4:40)
8 Mid-tempo. Natalie Cole tune, done pretty faithfully. Nifty layered vocals & flute. (4:04)
9 ** Slow. Satisfying cover of a classic blues ballad–compares well to versions by Lew Rawls, Nancy Wilson, Charles Brown. Warm and elegant. (4:19)
10 Mid-tempo. Original song by Robinson. Good but not among the best tracks here. (5:14)
11 Solo child’s voice singing one chorus of a famous Civil Rights Era anthem. (0:20)