Album Reviews

Samara Joy, a mere 25 years old, has ascended to extraordinary heights in the jazz world — and rightly so. Raised in a family of gospel singers but nurtured on a diet of contemporary pop and jazz, Joy’s vocal prowess is astonishing. Her contralto-to-soprano range — soaring from hushed whispers to clarion calls — is as breathtaking as a hummingbird darting from flower to flower. This gifted singer effortlessly incorporates Beyoncé-esque flourishes, joyous Sarah Vaughan-inspired inflections, and subtle, nuanced asides reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, if not the legendary Helen Merrill.

Joy’s third album (and second on Verve), Portrait, was released on October 11, 2024. It was produced by Joy and trumpet player Brian Lynch, and it is a brazen declaration of her versatility. The album cover, back jacket, and inner sleeve boldly feature the names of the bandmembers, almost seeming to eclipse Joy’s own topline status.

The LP’s techie stats are these. The vinyl lacquers for Portrait were cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and the LP was pressed at RTI on behalf of Precision. All mastering was handled by David Darlington at Bass Hit Studio in New York City. The SRP for this 1LP set is $25.99, and it can be obtained at Music Direct here and/or via the MD link graphic that appears ahead of the tracklisting below. If MD happens to be sold out of the standard black vinyl edition of Portrait (which may very well be the case if you’re reading this review right around/after the holidays), Verve also has it available here in a variety of options: standard black vinyl for $25.98, opaque orchid vinyl for $27.98, and Coke Bottle Clear vinyl, also for $27.98. (Note that Verve happens to be running an EOY vinyl sale as of this posting, so each of these three Portrait options may be onsale for a few bucks less apiece, depending on when you’re reading this.)

And now, to the music. Comprised largely of American Songbook standards (“You Stepped Out of A Dream,” “Day by Day”) and iconic jazz masterpieces (Charles Mingus’ “Reincarnation of a Lovebird”), Portrait is a showcase of Joy’s talent and her band’s prowess. Lynch’s liner notes, which appear on the back cover, while dutiful, are oddly worded. His statement that “[Joy’s] collaboration with the excellent musician cohort that played, arranged, and composed every bit of music heard on this record together with her” is, at best, peculiar — and could perhaps use a collective collaborative credit there, rather than a singular one.

Even so, each member of Joy’s septet takes a hand at arrangements, some strong, some overly ambitious, the message being that this is primarily a band effort. Ironically, we came to “see” Samara. Yet, despite these reservations, Joy’s astonishing talent shines through, even more dazzling than on her major label debut on Verve, September 2022’s Linger Awhile (which also happened to be one of my Top 5 Jazz Albums of that year). She consistently wows, song after song — her voice a breathtaking display of athleticism, range, endurance, interpretive skill, and impeccable note choices. Ah, the glories of youth.

“You Stepped Out of a Dream” opens Side A, featuring Joy tracing the melody with the energy of a startled dove. The song’s brisk tempo gives way to Mingus’ aforementioned “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” (Track 2), now boasting newly penned lyrics by Joy. While tenor saxophonist Kendric McCallister’s arrangement is a chaotic cacophony, Joy’s solo intro is a revelation — a masterclass in control, range, and vocal beauty.

Joy’s rendition of the classic “Autumn Nocturne” (Track 3) is both graceful and lilting, dark and soulful. The spotlight then shifts to Track 4 and her Broadway-worthy “Peace of Mind” that seamlessly transitions into Sun Ra/Jay Mayo’s “Dreams Come True.” Joy effortlessly navigates the latter song’s dynamic and rhythmic complexities, treating them like child’s play.

Trombonist Donovan Austin’s “A Fool in Love (Is Called a Clown)” ushers in Side B, another ideal platform for Joy’s exceptional interpretive skills. Her lush, rounded notes are a hallmark, and wholly evident in this performance.

Antonio Carlos Jobim and Jon Hendricks’ “No More Blues” (Track 2) provides ample space for Joy to strut her stuff. Her physical, joyous, and expansive range is a highlight. Nothing seems to challenge her — each song is merely an opportunity to soar with sky-high vocal glissandos and demanding operatic-like passages, executed with the ease of licking an ice cream cone.

Barry Harris’s “Now and Then (In Remembrance Of. . .)” (Track 3) offers a much-needed respite, showcasing Joy’s unparalleled talent for contemporary ballads. The album concludes with a heroic rendition of “Day by Day” (Track 4), reminiscent of Anita O’Day and Sarah Vaughan trading fours on a sweltering summer day.

As for how our ratings go for Portrait, we’re going to go with an 8 for the Music, as we sometimes feel the arrangements get in the way of showcasing Joy’s inimitable vocal talents, which rate a clear 10 and often an 11, all on their own. As for the Sound, Portrait receives a solid 9, though AP editor Mike Mettler tells me he experienced some occasional surface noise between a few tracks on both sides of his black vinyl LP (which, thankfully, subsided after a repeat record-cleaning session).

The bottom line here is that Joy is a singular talent, and her new Portrait left me spent and dazzled — and, akin to Looney Tunes’ Wile E. Coyote, foiled again. Samara Joy is an unabashed superstar, waiting for the world to wake up. Portrait shows, time and again, what an absolute joy it is to hear a voice such as hers.

Author bio: Former musician, former artist, and former legal wastrel Ken Micallef has written numerous hi-fi equipment reviews for Stereophile and Analog Planet, and his byline has also appeared within Mojo, Electronic Musician, and The Grammys. You can also find him at YouTube (Ken Micallef Jazz Vinyl Audiophile).

SAMARA JOY
PORTRAIT
1LP (Verve)

Side A
1. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
2. Reincarnation Of A Lovebird
3. Autumn Nocturne
4. Peace Of Mind / Dreams Come True

Side B
1. A Fool In Love (Is Called A Clown)
2. No More Blues
3. Now And Then (In Remembrance Of. . .)
4. Day By Day