Reminisce

On their debut album, the duo of Nate Harasim (keyboards, producer) and sensual Chicago based vocalist Deborah Connors have achieved something extraordinary: creating the same sort of full-scale, sensual funk vibe and urban jazzy jam potential as Incognito but without the massive ensemble. The back story to this unique duality is fascinating: nuGroove president David Chackler discovered Harasim in 2007 after listening to his self-produced debut Next in Line. He signed the keyboardist to the label and hooked him up with two other emerging genre talents, Jay Soto and Darren Rahn. Harasim was ready to produce his solo debut on nuGroove when Chackler, who was simultaneously developing Connors, decided to hook them up. Harasim was immediately impressed with Connors, whose rich résumé includes session work at Chicago Trax Recording with R. Kelly, Ministry's Al Jorgenson, George Harrison, Liz Phair and Trent Reznor. What began as the hope for her to add some sexy vocals turned into a full-blown creative partnership — and the results rise impressively somewhere between the aforementioned Incognito and the cool, female vocalist-kissed vibe that Paul Hardcastle creates on his Jazzmasters discs. The opening title track sets the tone with its cool, soulful retro-soul atmosphere behind Connors' passionate voice and Harasim's swirl of keyboard dreaminess and piano grace. This unbeatable mix carries through the rest of the tracking, from the easy grooving "All You Are to Me" through a hypnotic take on Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" and the slightly punchier "Let Your Body Move," which features Rahn's sax accents behind Connors' urgent vocals. The duo also does a lovely, neo-soul take on Quincy Jones' "Secret Garden," pairing her up with equally passionate singer Maurice Mahon. Overall, Reminisce is a perfect late-night soundtrack that covers the chillin' side of the urban jazz landscape.