Recorded over two days at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, this fine new album from the estimable vocalist Judy Niemack adroitly combines sharply observed originals (including the brilliant ‘Just When I Thought’ with music by guitarist Bernstein and lyrics by Niemack) with inventive takes on standards. A song much loved by vocalists (Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman among them) and instrumentalists (Wes Montgomery, Cedar Walton, Grant Green, Dave Brubeck) alike, Niemack gives an incredibly poignant reading of ‘For All We Know’ which features just the sublimely subtle accompaniment of pianist Fortner – together, they delve deep into the bitter sweetness of Sam Lewis’ lyric.

Niemack has recorded with some wonderful pianists in the past – Kenny Barron on Heart's Desire, Mal Waldron on Mingus, Monk and Mal – and she appears to have struck gold once again with Fortner. Alto saxist Alexander guests on his self-penned ‘Little Lucas’, here renamed ‘Let Life Lead You’ with new lyrics by Niemack, whose storytelling prowess comes strongly to the fore. Other standouts include Niemack's co-write with New York composer-pianist Kirk Nurock, ‘I’m Moving On’, with powerful soloing from all hands, plus a captivating take on the Mel Tormé/Robert Wells standard ‘Born to Be Blue’, a trio feature for Niemack, Bernstein and bassist Weiss.