Perez - It's Happenin'

All Music Guide

Perez's third CD is her first opportunity to record for a U.S. label, in the company of fellow New Yorkers for this engaging session. The richtoned alto has a touch of vibrato at the end of her phrases in "Will You Still be There," a hip vocal version of Herbie Hancock's song. She is very focused in the breezy samba setting of the bittersweet "Blame It On My Youth." She masters Annie Ross' vocalese set to Art Farmer's "Farmers Market," with delightful accompaniment by pianist David Hazeltine and flautist Jed Levy, while she also excels in Giacomo Gates' vocalese rendition of Miles Davis' "Milestones," featuring trombonist Steve Davis to good effect. Her moving "Detour Ahead" has an air of hope, while the imaginative scoring of "Nature Boy" keeps it from getting predictable. An excellent date by a jazz vocalist deserving of wider recognition.

- Ken Dryden, All Music Guide