London based singer Elisa Caleb’s début recording is a classy affair that fuses jazz and gospel influences with a side order of folk for good measure. Initially a reluctant singer (her guitarist husband coerced her into joining a jam session) she is now a confident performer with a good deal of potential.
Caleb’s mature singing is the predominate factor in this album’s success but the contribution of an all star UK band should not be overlooked. Husband Jo Caleb is a major influence as both guitarist and arranger and there are excellent contributions from a core band consisting of pianist Ivo Neame, bassist Larry Bartley and drummer Troy Miller. Jazz Warriors guitarist Femi Tomowo does a first class job in the producer’s chair and also helps out with the arrangements

The material is a mix of jazz and gospel standards alongside a couple of top quality originals by Jo Caleb. One of Jo’s songs, “Bring Back Spring” opens the album. It’s a tune that would fit neatly into the “Great American Songbook” and features an assured vocal performance from Elisa plus a typically inventive piano solo from Ivo Neame. Bassist Larry Bartley also makes an enjoyable contribution as a soloist.
Elisa’s confident, sophisticated reading of Rodgers and Hart’s “Thou Swell” features a lively guitar solo from arranger Jo with the rest of the band adding swinging support.
Jo’s arrangement of Wallis Willis’ “Swing Low” introduces Elisa’s gospel leanings. As the album credits make clear she is a committed Christian and delivers the lyrics with conviction. However her enunciation is perfect and the arrangement is mercifully free of bombast. Judicious use of overdubbing is made as the versatile Neame doubles on keyboards and saxophone-he’s a highly talented player on his “second” instrument. Producer Femi Tomowo’s vocal arrangement adds the voices of Anna Omak, Folu Olatuju and Tola Okogwu to the mix, lifting the second half of the song in accordance with the lyrics.

Neame is also excellent on “Who Can I Turn To”, a duet for voice and piano with Elisa turning in a cool and wistful performance. This is a beautiful version of the tune, something of a quiet masterpiece.

“My Funny Valentine” is a tune that has become rather over familiar. The intro delivered by Elisa and Neame is conventionally pretty but Jo’s quietly swinging guitar break takes the tune into faster, less familiar territory complete with Elisa’s scat vocal. Jo’s quietly subversive streak helps to breathe some fresh life into this old chestnut.

Jo Caleb’s song “The Wind”  adds the folk element alluded to previously. It’s a beautiful tune, paced by Jo’s acoustic guitar and Elisa’s warm vocal. It has just has been released as a single and has a catchy hook. If it gets airplay-well you never know, Caleb may just have a surprise hit on her hands
A playful version of “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” is pleasant enough but nothing out of the ordinary. Mind you the playing is excellent with that man Neame once again to the fore with a sparkling solo. This is Neame’s swansong- the next two tracks are for voice, guitar, bass and drums only. 

Here Jo Caleb shows his gently subversive side again. Cole Porter’s “Every Time We say Goodbye”  is exaggeratedly languid with Jo again showing his abilities as an accomplished jazz guitar soloist. Conversely the ballad “Alone Together” is speeded up with Elisa delivering a worldly wise vocal. The instrumental interplay between Jo, Bartley and Miller in the song’s hard driving central section is excellent and thoroughly absorbing.

Finally “A Child Is Born”  is a piece for the Calebs on voice and guitar only, a warm and heartfelt tribute to their infant daughter Liya.

“Carry Me Home” is smooth enough to appeal to the “Parky” type of jazz fan but there is enough interest in the arrangements and playing to hold the attention of the more serious listener. This is a remarkably mature and impressive début from this intelligent, sophisticated singer plus a stellar but sympathetic band. Expect to hear a lot more about Elisa Caleb.

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