's sole effort for the imprint vaults the singer out of the jazz comfort zone she occupied in previous releases in favor of a lush, vibrant soul context well-matched to her gritty vocals. While arranger 's sweet strings and buoyant horns draw obvious inspiration from southern soul signatures like and , 's potent performances reach deep inside to channel the spirit of the blues. Its sunny title to the contrary, much of traffics in melancholy and heartbreak, although the uncommon sensitivity of songs like summons hope and comfort even from despair and desperation. Credit is also due the sinuous grooves of a superior session band led by drummer , but make no mistake -- this is 's show, and her impassioned performance churns with raw human emotion. ~ Jason Ankeny