(Minnehaha Music)

Among the numerous bossa nova-flavored recordings released this year, Connie Evingson’s Sweet Happy Life definitely stands out. The Minneapolis-based vocalist distinctive, honey-toned voice and warm delivery of a lyric makes listening to this production thoroughly enjoyable. Adding to the uniqueness of this project is the fact that the musical menu consists of the wonderful songs of the great composer Norman Gimbel, the first recorded album comprised entirely of his compositions. The arrangements are top notch as are the musician performances from a vast array of musiciains. Gimbel compliments Evingson for “tasteful compilation” of his songs and we concur.