I’ve indicated a few times here that I’m not partial to a lot of covers on any given CD, unless we’re talking about a truly exceptional interpretation.  Vocalist/producer Vivian Male is such an exception.  Her debut release, Our Day Will Come, showcases her lovely voice in a remarkably pure, rich, and pitch-perfect fashion.
 
Who is Vivian Male? Well, she currently travels around the New England and New York regions, charming listeners with her sterling vocals.  She is the president of her own production company, Vivian Male Productions, and, among other things, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Berklee School of Music.  She was also recently inducted into Boston’s “Steppin’ Out” Hall of Fame with George Benson.

Now, on to what she has done with covers that has so impressed me.  First off, a great voice can enhance almost any material. However, Male took the time to compile a most impressive repertoire, choosing ballads with obvious care and singing them with the same passion and dedication to excellence as the originals, but yet with an interpretation and arrangement for each that is original, exciting, and refreshing. Tunes like “For The Love of You” (done by every singer north, south, east, and west of the Mississippi), Ruby & The Romantics’ “Our Day Will Come,” The Impressions’ “I’m So Proud,” the Burt Bacharach classic “The Look of Love,” Neil Sedaka’s” Breaking Up is Hard to Do,” and Minnie Riperton’s ”Lovin’ You” take on a new freshness and appeal when handled by this songstress.

Knowing and respecting her own limits while delivering such beautiful renditions speaks strongly about this artist.  Smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley put it this way: “I love the way I feel when listening to this CD.” When one can elicit that kind of reaction, I think it's safe to say that he or she has arrived.  Great effort by a name we should recognize before long as being among the finest in smooth jazz and R&B. --  Ronald Jackson