Seasoned jazz vocalist Patrisha Thomson makes a long-awaited return with her latest album, “Your Love.” Released four years after her last full-length album, Your Love is a polished, warmly sung record that balances familiar standards, thoughtful arrangements, and one striking original.
The track selection is thoughtful and classy, with Thomson fronting a small session band and leaning into an intimate, late-night jazz-club aesthetic. There’s a clear melodic focus on every track, and the arrangements favor lyric and phrasing over flashy solos.
The album opens with “Robbin’s Nest,” a classic written by Sir Charles Thompson and popularized by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. Patrisha’s vocals are the highlight of this track, as she masterfully weaves melodies through bright tenor sax and piano arrangements.
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The titular track, “Your Love,” is a standout moment, with its incredibly catchy drum groove. The piano and bass sections are toned down, but exquisitely crafted to perfectly accompany the lyrics. The track is light and lively, making it a great fit for its mid-record placement.
The album closes out with a soulful delivery of Stevie Wonder’s 1976 classic, “If it’s Magic”. This track also features a change in instrumentation, with Patrisha’s vocals being backed by a cello and harp arrangement. With its mesmerizing atmosphere, If it’s Magic is a perfect slow ballad to close out the album.
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Production-wise the record is clean and radio-ready without sounding too sanitized. It still retains the warmth and intimacy of a live performance, with the mix keeping Thomson’s voice front-and-center while giving the band room to breathe.
The greatest strength of Your Love is that it stays uncluttered, with quiet ballads and mid-tempo pieces letting Thomson’s emotional clarity shine. There’s nothing radical here, and fans of classic vocal jazz are sure to appreciate the record’s restraint and craft.