Sue Richardson has emerged with her compelling release Emergence that features jazz, funk, swing, Latin, and of course Sue's alluring voice, superb trumpet and flugel horn, and great arrangements. 

Sue Richardson - Emergence                   

Emergence: It Could Happen To You, Emergence, I Can't Believe, Spotted Cat, I Just Can't Help Myself, Winter, Stuck in the Middle, Spare Ribs, I. O. U., A La Mode, Dearly Beloved, Change of Direction, Old Sam Jones, Eclipse  

Personnel: Sue Richardson: Vocals, Trumpet & Flugel Horn; Andy Drudy: Guitars; Neal Richardson: Piano; Jeremy Brown: Double Bass; Matt Skelton: Drums & Percussion; Brian Showell: Triangle on Track 5   

Emergence, produced by David Hentschel and Neal Richardson, was released under the Splash Point Records label. This is Sue Richardson's second release under the Splash Point Records label following Out of a Song, which was reviewed in the Music Scene section (Out of a Song). Sue possesses a hands-on appreciation and understanding of many different international music formats. She has played with musicians in Havana, New Orleans, Brazil, and other parts of the world. These influences, along with her big band and jazz knowledge, helped Sue to develop the innovative and captivating sound found on Emergence.  

Trumpeter/singer/songwriter/arranger, Sue wrote or co-wrote twelve of the tracks from personal influences and experiences. The release starts off with the cover It Could Happen To You, though a superb trumpeter, Sue opens up with her beautiful voice which puts you under her spell as she sings "Do you believe in charms and spells, in mystic words and magic wands...," she had me mesmerized. The title track Emergence, as Sue states, "Was written many, many, years ago, but it is only recently that I felt I could perform it with confidence," and with confidence and a straight-ahead drive she controls the pulse of this song through the soft trumpet interludes that are complemented by her stellar support band. The third track is I Can't Believe, which features Sue showing her diversity as she lays down a beguiling scat. Spotted Cat, the name of a bar where Sue played with a gypsy jazz band in post-Katrina New Orleans, keeps the pace going and features Sue behind her alto ego, the trumpet.

Changing genres, Sue breaks out with a Latin infused I Just Can't Help Myself, which was influenced by her time in Havana where she met musicians who shared her passion for music and life. Sue says of her trip to Havana, "It was a humbling experience," but this humble musician has captured that distinct Latin rhythm through her voice and the arrangement. The track Winter features Sue on the trumpet, but this time she is culling each note with a sultry pout of her lips, which creates a moving and beautiful sound. Stuck in the Middle turns up the heat leading off with a dash across the keyboards by Neal Richardson that is complemented by a great groove from the baseline of Matt Skelton and Jeremy Brown, and coupled with Sue's scat and Andy Drudy's guitar work, this track will have you tapping and bopping along.

The track Spare Ribs, which was titled by an unfortunate breaking of six ribs by Sue's father, is a great track that will take you down the New Orleans and Chicago jazz routes; I.O.U. brings out a warmer arrangement as she sings to an underlying Island rhythm; A La Mode is a funky jazz tune that carries that deep double bass transition that just melds so well with a sassy trumpet; the cover of Dearly Beloved is handled to perfection by Sue on vocals, and although this has been covered by many musicians,  Sue holds her own. 

The track Change of Direction takes us along the swing sound, with each of the musicians getting their chance to stretch and keep this track moving; another nice arrangement. Old Sam Jones is a fun up-tempo run with Sue playing off her piano accompaniment while keeping the track bouncing along.  The last track Eclipse was written for Eclipse Trumpets, who made Sue a custom-made gold-flower trumpet and flugel horn; the track displays Sue's prowess on the flugel horn and closes out this wonderful release.    

Websites where you can procure Sue Richardson - Emergence are Splash Point Records, and HMV; downloads available at My Space - Sue Richardson.

© November 2007. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.