Let's Get Lost

There are two basic patterns that veteran performers Annette Sanders and Kevin DiSimone follow on this CD. First, they sing in tandem, coming across like a two-person Manhattan Transfer. Two excellent examples of this approach are "The Way You look Tonight" and the title tune, "Let's Get Lost." The first of these also features DiSimone's jazz piano and a Chip Jackson bass solo. The duets are also used for showing off their unison wordless vocalizing — and there's a lot of that — which can be difficult to bring off without getting lost. The other singing mode comes when each takes a separate chorus before some or the entire band comes in. While they sound great singing in unison, when they go at it separately we get the full effect of Sanders' clear-as-a-bell, very friendly voice. Her vocal glows on such tunes as "My Foolish Heart." While not quite up to his partner's standard, DiSimone has an appealingly light, slightly breathy Chet Baker way about him, which he shows on the opening to "Early Autumn." This is one of the prettier tracks on the CD. It's also on this cut that DiSimone reveals another one of his talents, as he plays dubbed-in trumpet behind the vocal duet. Regardless of how they present each song, these two are entertaining and upbeat. Lots of help comes from the outstanding musicians they brought into the studio with them, not the least of which is multi-reed player Jerry Dodgion, an old and experienced hand at the recording game. Scott Colley shows that he can deliver a melody with his bass on "Summertime." Duet vocal albums are pretty rare these days and this one is a welcome addition to the literature. Recommended.