Pure Imagination
Opening with a gorgeous rendition ofWilly Wonka's "Pure Imagination," Boston-based a cappella jazz quintet Vox One returns from hiatus with its fifth album.  The personnel (they met, and many work, at Berklee College of Music) is intact from its 1993 self-titled debut: Jodi Jenkins-Ainsworth (soprano), Yumiko Matsuoka (alto), Paul Stiller (tenor/vocal drums), Paul Pampinella (baritone), and Tom Baskett (bass).  Matsuoka is the chief arranger, while Stiller produces, arranges, and contributes the original "You Know" with other originals by Matsuoka ("Leave It to Me (Or Leave Me Alone)" and Pampinella ("Try").  Also interspersed are songs by Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, traditional songs such as "Simple Gifts" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and some beautiful improvisations.Pure Imaginationis a welcome return of one of the most well-regarded groups in vocal jazz.--David Horiuchi