Wild Is Love

The title hints at exotica and there's some of that here in the layered arrangements of Torrie Zito, who worked with this fine vocalist on several albums. But Wild Is Love is really one of Morgana King's swingier albums; the uncredited musicians, bless them whoever they are, know how to walk a bassline, lightly brush over a snare drum, or honk the line. King's vocals are also less-flamboyantly nonsensical, although there are still a couple of moments where one would have to be a relative of hers not to wince in the high register. For the most part she really concentrates on a lush sound and swinging timing, establishing her mastery of the latter with the soul-defining opener, a cover of "Anything Goes" that will wipe the memory clean of all other versions, especially the horrid ones. "The Shadow of Your Smile," likewise, is interpreted in a manner simultaneously graceful and perfect. Zito often can be credited with little touches that set the arrangement up perfectly; in "Don't Explain," the way the tempo seems to be slowing down and speeding up like summer canyon winds, and in "You Fascinate Me," turnarounds in which an instrument or an entire section will perform casual acrobatics. It was pretty much standard practice in the '60s to back a singer up with a lavish production, complete with full orchestra. That went even for the vocalists who would have been better-served by a small combo. King was an adept enough performer to handle either situation, and this Reprise offering includes the best examples of her in spectacular, technicolor accompaniment mode.