(Rinny Zin)

Permission is the stunningly impressive debut of Bay area singer and composer Molly Holm. The singer has been on the jazz scene working with Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra, and as a featured singer with Terry Riley and Zakir Hussain over the years. This recording which was produced by pianist and arranger Frank Martin, is full of innovation and wonderful performances both by the singer and the musicians complementing her great choices. Joining Holm is a solid lineup which includes her working band of Martin on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, Deszon Claiborne on drums and Wayne Wallace on trombone, among a long list of other notable talents on the project. Holm has an inviting sound that works nice on her own tunes or those from Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Chick Corea or Miles Davis that comprise part of the songlist here. This is definitely a must-hear effort, from start to finish .