(Chocolate Chi Music)

Colors of Life isn’t his debut recording, but the effort does mark a jazz-focused debut for vocalist Jua. The sophomore effort for the North Carolina-based talent makes quite the impression. While the singer has a voice that remind some of other talents, he has quite the style and sound of his own. In fact, it was so distinguished that it won him the Mark Murphy Vocal Jazz Scholarship at Berkeley’s Jazzschool Insititute (now known as the California Jazz Conservatory). Produced by veteran pianist, arranger and composer Onaje Allan Gumbs, the production is a mesmerizing showcase of the singer’s command of lyric and tone. The set features a nice palette of originals by Jua and excellently arranged covers of tunes by Abbey Lincoln, Bill Withers, Sam Rivers, Bob Dorough and James Williams. Making the music for the words are Gumbs on keys, guitarist Shan Kenner, drummer Victor Ector, bassist Gregory M. Jones, saxophonist Roger Byam and percussionist Gary Fritz. Jua truly delivers with every tune and the entire effort.