Jay Clayton's need for experimentation has never kept her from singing the standards she grew up with and has always adored. This collection of familiar material expresses the various stages of love, gives her the opportunity to scat on occasion, and pairs her with open-ended, thoughtful musicians like guitarist Jack Wilkins and bassist Jay Anderson. Her salt-of-the-earth vocal during "How Deep Is the Ocean?" is interactive with Jack Wilkins' guitar chords and sinewy lines, while alongside bassist Anderson, she dances during the easy swinger "I Hear a Rhapsody." Kenny Barron's original samba "Sunshower" and John Carisi's challenging "Israel" are also examples of how Clayton can extend original melody lines -- the biggest reason for her becoming as important a jazz singer as any in modern times. (Michael G. Nastos)