“This very attractive set should appeal across the board. Harkell is a committed jazz singer and has surrounded herself here by some exemplary instrumentalists. Unlike some of today’s singers her improvisations are logical and intelligent and she never loses touch with her material and hence is likely to appeal also to those who like to recognize the tune. This said some of the songs are not especially familiar. There are two of Harkell’s own, music and lyrics, and she has also written lyrics to music composed by jazz instrumentalists such as Alan Pasqua, “Daddy, what is God’s last name?” and Bill Frisell “Did you see her smile”. Throughout her approach is poised, her vocal sound fluid and she interprets the lyrics with care and understanding. Of the instrumentalists, Lapthorn is new to me and is certainly a find and should be followed by discerning piano fans. The guest soloists are all in good form, Kerr showing that he continues to grow in stature, while Lowther and Coe are still filled with vigour and inventiveness and their roles on this CD help add the word ‘warmly’ in front of the by now expected ‘recommended’.”

“Admired jazz vocalist Gina Harkell is always found in the company of the best and this CD is no different with a first class line-up of musos: Tim Lapthorn, Tony Coe, Henry Lowther and Roy Dodds. Gina’s choice of homegrown tunes and standards is immaculate, a perfect match for her bright and infinitely melodic delivery. Matchless.”

“Three tracks stand out. The strongest of the standards, ‘The more I see you’ gets an unusual Latin treatment and a little harmonic tinkering which gives it fresh life. Setting a poem by John Fry to music, Harkell came up with the right kind of bluesy tune for ‘If life is a tiger’ and produced a natural for the cabaret circuit. There are moments when understatement or subtlety make listeners catch their breath. Perhaps at her best as an unaffected singer of ballads, her sensitve adaptation of Bill Frisell’s ‘Did you see her smile’ is another to sample.”

“I can well understand Gina Harkell’s urge, expressed in the note, to sing with Tim Lapthorn’s piano support. In addition to being a brilliant jazz soloist and composer, I can testify that his accompaniment abilities are prodigious. Here with his propensity for getting into deliciously musical grooves, he almost steals the show from his employer. Gina has compiled an interesting programme, 8 out of 12 tracks being her own compositions, two of which are co-written with Tim. ‘If life is a tiger’ is by far my favourite song and performance of them all. It has a beautifully buoyant medium swing, a very worthy lyric, handsomely delivered, and Tim takes his most scintillating solo. I’d like to have the music. Welcome guests are vibes ace Anthony Kerr, a mellow-mode Henry Lowther and the unique Tony Coe - and very nice too.  This lady has a warm vocal sound and shows admirable control within her range. Some Peggy Lee inspiration can be detected, although she gives her own slant on the Lee special, ‘I love being here with you.’”

“I consider this album to be at least the equal of any by any vocalist I’ve heard for many a year.”