Michelle Lordi, who hails from Philadelphia, has taken the slightly unusual step of recording a jazz concept album. And what is the concept? It’s all laid out for us in track one, a poetic monologue, accompanied by double bass and soprano saxophone, about a scary dream she had: this album, therefore, is all about “apocalyptic dreams and chaotic times”.

Unavoidably, given the nature of the project, the lyrical motifs, musical themes and overall mood are somewhat bleak. There are repeated references to the Moon, the sea, night-time, ghosts, and the pain and sadness of failed relationships.

The result is rather a mixed bag. Several of Lordi’s chosen standards are heavily reconfigured, including Neil Young’s ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, with a new melody, completely changed harmony and a different rhythm (4/4 instead of 3/4), so that little remains of the original song except the lyrics. The track begins with bass and brushes before pianist Orrin Evans comes crashing in with wild and fragmented piano.

It’s a similar story with ‘Close Your Eyes’. However, when the tunes are given rather more tuneful and sympathetic treatment, as on ‘Haunted Heart’ and particularly the lovely, slow swing arrangement of Alec Wilder’s ‘Moon and Sand’, Lordi’s pure, wistful voice shines through.