First Instrument

Ebony, June, 1995 by Lynn Norment

With her new recording, First Instrument (Blue Note), Rachelle Ferrell zooms up the jazz charts (her self-titled debut has remained on the R&B charts for almost three years). And she superbly demonstrates that she can deliver jazz as well. Ferrell composed "Don't Waste Your Time" and "Etensions," both of which are romantic confessions.

On most tunes, she is backed by a piano trio (as she is o, the beautifully performed "My Funny Valentine") as she scats and takes her voice through a range of emotions, from piercing notes to low guttural tones. On "Autumn Leaves," Ferrell is backed by Wayne shorter, Stanley clarke and the recording's producer, Lenny White.