(Cristal Records)

Vocal Denise King and pianist Olivier Hutman are a formidable musical team. They reunite for their latest project, Give Me The High Sign, and what a wonderful work it is. Hutman, the compositional core of the project, collaborates with King and others, on music and lyrics which provides a fresh sound and perspective on life and love. King’s vocals are dynamic and engaging and the musicianship backing her is fantastic. Providing the musical flooring, along with Hutman on piano and keyboards, are Steve Williams on drums, Darryl Hall on bass, Olivier Temme on tenor saxophone and Stéphane Belmondo on trumpet and flugelhorn. There are nice reworkings of tunes by Ellington and Strayhorn, Levant and Heyman and Gil Scott-Heron, but for the most part this is a recording that offers thoughtful, clever and entertaining new music.