The Best of Dianne Reeves
This collection summarizes vocalist Dianne Reeves's greatest hits from 1987 to 2001. A stunning contralto, Reeves was one of the best jazz-based singers to emerge from the late 20th century. This disc captures her wide musical palette. Of course, her biggest hit, "Better Days" (a.k.a. "The Grandma Song"), is included here. Reeves's love of Latin music shines through on her version of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro-Blue," and her ballad artistry illuminates "You Taught My Heart to Sing." Reeve's soul-wrenching composition "Endangered Species" shows off her spiritual side, and "Testify" showcases her uplifting aura. Also included are Reeves's passionate reading of Joni Mitchell's "River" and a heartfelt version of "Misty." Both are released here for the first time in the U.S. Add keyboardists Billy Childs, Mulgrew Miller, and George Duke, and you have a complete aural portrait of Dianne Reeves.--Eugene Holley Jr.