Featuring beautifully crafted arrangements of beguiling variety and sensuousness, in every lovingly caressed phrase of Ella: Accentuate The Positive, Regina Carter's love for the First Lady of Song's music shines brightly. This music has long been part of her mental furniture, and Carter's chosen material, with one or two notable exceptions, judiciously focuses on some of the lesser-known gems associated with Ella. Listening to the way in which Carter seductively bends the notes in ‘I'll Never Be Free’ and ‘I'll Chase The Blues Away’, and how she sculpts the long, sustained invention of ‘Judy’, it's clear that there's not a semiquaver that hasn't been fastidiously considered. Featuring her longtime rhythm section of bassist Chris Lightcap and drummer Alvester Garnett, together with pianist Xavier Davis and guitarist Marvin Sewell, Carter's musicians are completely attuned to her vision and artistry. The brace of vocal tracks, both featuring fellow Detroiters, are standouts. Actress and singer Miche Braden delivers the hugely powerful, gospel-soaked title track, in a brilliant arrangement by Ray Angry, while vocalist Carla Cook's mellifluous timbre beguiles in a spacious R&B arrangement of ‘Undecided’ by Charenee Wade.