Smile

This is the newest 2008 release from versatile and gifted vocalist Monique Danielle. It was 2 years in the making and well worth the wait. It is positively the jewel in her recording crown, and features the best jazz musicians in KC. If you're going to buy only one of Moniques CDs, make it 'Smile'. You won't be disappointed. 'Press Release' NEW JAZZ VOCALIST PROMISES TO LEAVE YOU WITH A SMILE Monique Danielle releases her much anticipated Jazz CD, entitled SMILE This CD of Jazz Standards is Monique's debut in this genre. Listeners will delight in such Standards as; The Look of Love, a sultry take on this Bacharach classic, What a Difference a Day Makes which will take you back to the era of Big Band sound, Smile, one of Charlie Chaplin's most beloved songs, is delivered in Monique's signature smooth, pure vocal style. Insensatez (How Insensitive), will take you on a romantic musical journey, filled with the delicate sounds of Acoustic Guitar, Flute and Piano. The CD also contains favorites such as; Taking a Chance On Love, Summertime, You Do Something to Me, At Last, This Can't Be Love, That's All, It Could Happen to You, Nature Boy, and Angel Eyes. The album closes with a beautiful piano/vocal arrangement of Thad Jones' A Child is Born. A recent review of the song 'Smile'at www.

Jazz.com had this to say. Rating: 95/100 At jazz.com, we review individual cuts in order to bring a more in-depth insight into the jazz canon we so admire. I don't know how other reviewers at jazz.com do their thing. But often while I am writing a review, the CD continues to play the remaining songs. My ear memory recalls the subject piece so I have no trouble typing away my strong opinions as different music plays away in the background. But sometimes the remaining music is so compelling that my unbreakable stream of thought is broken and I must stop the task at hand to listen more fully. This is good for my musical enjoyment but not so good for my wallet. I get paid by the word. The more words I can write in the least amount of time, the better. So you know by now I had to stop writing this review and concentrate on what else Ms. Monique was offering. Damn. Though I am reviewing only one cut, I want you to know that I absolutely loved the whole album. 'Smile' isn't even my favorite number. 'The Look of Love' is. It is wonderfully arranged and creatively performed in sort of a Spanish mode. But I can't call that piece jazz. 'Smile,' like many other tunes on the album, would fall under the same jazz category we allow Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dinah Washington, et al. Everyone is familiar with this standard. So the best thing for me to say is that Monique Danielle has been blessed with a wonderful voice and the intuitive skills and taste to put that voice to it's best use. There is not a hint of pretense in her interpretation. Music is about honesty after all. Surrounding herself with very good musicians and having the benefit of superlative arrangements doesn't hurt either. I unhesitatingly sing the praises of Monique Danielle and recommend that you listen to her immediately. Reviewer: Walter Kolosky _______________________________________________________ Carol Comer of KC Jazz Ambassador Magazine (JAM) Had these glowing words for 'Smile' 'The first thing I noticed about Monique Danielle is her dead-on intonation; you could tune any instrument to this voice. Clearly one of the best singers I've yet to hear. .........a rhapsodically simplistic Insensatez (How Insensitive) demonstrating once again that gratuitous vocal gymnastics are always trumped by impeccable taste. This is a balladeer who instinctively lives in the song. .......the arrangements will knock you out and the accompaniment on each cut is truly flawless. Buy the disc and witness for yourself. The Look of Love as a Tango? Her dark, sensual conformation will surely raise an eyebrow or two. Another surprise: a 6/8 That's All. I played this again and again, mesmerized by the smooth, flawless intervals. YIKES!!!! This woman lives and works right her