REVIEW- Nikki – Nikki Yanofsky

By Kurt Leavins

I used to tell people that Nikki Yanofsky was the future of Jazz in Canada.  Well, with the possible exceptions of (and with great respect to) Michael Buble and Diana Krall, the future is here and now.  And this young performer now has those two Canadian superstars in her sights, as well.

Yanofsky’s 2nd full-fledged effort demonstrates a remarkable rate of growth by an artist who was already considered a prodigy.  And the easy name to toss in here is, admittedly, is Phil Ramone.  The legendary producer clearly has his steady hand on her shoulder, guiding Yanofsky into the next chapter in her life and career.

But the sheer progression displayed from “Ella…Of Thee I Swing” to “Nikki” can not be laid solely at the feet of Ramone.  Yanofsky already possessed a fantastic instrument of a voice.  Now, she is starting to understand how to use it to its full potential.  Frankly, rather than sing the hell out of everything, she had learned the disciplines of pace and phrasing.  She has refined her tonal qualities, and a little life experience (some borrowed, some new) has taken her ability to emote and wring each song of it’s proper emotions to a whole, new level.

Oh, yeah, and as if that wasn’t enough…she has also started writing her own songs.  Six of the tunes on this new album are co-written by her, including the lead single, “Never Make It On Time”, with Canadian song-smith Ron Sexsmith. That song is one of the high-lights of the album, so she’s pretty good at that, too!

For pure fun, listen to what she does with “God Bless The Child”.  As great as the Blood, Sweat & Tears version of this song was, David Clayton-Thomas cannot hold a candle to the notes Yanofsky hits here.  She also covers Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain”.

The least Jazzy thing on here is “I Believe”, a bonus track from the runaway successful Olympic single.  Its commercial success alone sufficiently paid the freight for it’s appearance here, but it is a little incongruous with the rest of the numbers.

Nikki Yanofsky is uniquely talented.  And if this album were to only demonstrate that the best is yet to come…you’d have a hint at just how big of a superstar she has the potential to become.

In the meantime, I feel sorry for you if you don’t own this CD.

4 ½ mics out of 5.