Balance

Mimi Jones is the name that Miriam Sullivan adopted when she transitioned from sidewoman to bandleader and the chief of Hot Tone Music, an independent record label for herself and other female jazz artists. On her sophomore album, the contrabassist/vocalist recruited two of her labelmates—Camille Thurman (flute, vocals) and Shirazette Tinnin (drums, percussion)—as well as a host of others, including trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (in whose band she’s played) and guitarist Marvin Sewell. A lively arco bass introduction to Bob Dorough’s “Nothing Like You” opens Balance, setting the overall tone. The Jones original “Junk Funk” lives up to the second half of its title with urbane electric keyboard work by Luis Perdomo and crisp drumming by Justin Faulkner. Jones’ interpretations are intriguing, including an abstract-then-gently swinging version of the children’s song “The Incy Wincy Spider” and an understated but equally haunting treatment of Adele’s “Someone Like You.”