Seasons Of Life (Bonus Track)

A Finnish "hometown girl done good" gone big-league New Yorker, Janita steps up to the plate with her third English-language effort, Seasons of Life. Janita's supermodel looks and smooth jazz categorization aside, the musical merits of this 2005 release demand serious consideration. The addition of a sizable string section to her already supple, smooth-edged band sound seems at first like a questionable decision, but the arrangements are so sensitively handled that the orchestration serves to support, never obscure. Arranger and orchestrator Ryan Shore avoided the synthesizer pitfall so many adult contemporary artists fall victim to, and instead created a velvety acoustic rhythm section sound that supports Janita's vocals in the organic, natural way that only live players can. And as for Janita herself, the unfamiliar are in for a surprise. Music lovers often assume that if the vocalist looks like an underwear model, unfortunately she probably sings like one. Not the case with Janita. Her expressive, understated, and yet soulful performances prove more beautiful than her silhouette. With a warm timbre and deft song interpretation, Janita bears the mark of a woman who's been making records for years, her age notwithstanding. [Ofir Music reissued the album in 2006 with an added cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence."] ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi