(Mainstream Jazz) Michelle Walker - Slow Down - 2001, MP3, 320 kbps

Born January 9, 1967 in Bohmholder, Germany
Occasionally there comes along an artist that commands your attention. A sound that seems to transcends any particular genre. One that causes the listener to pause and take notice. For the modern Jazz world that artist is without question Michelle Walker. Her sound breathes a sense of unexpected familiarity to the listener. Not knowing what pleasures she will bring next to the microphone leaves you with anticipation. Her deep and stirring voice has won the acclaim of a broad audience in the local music scene in the Washington, DC area. She can be seen regularly at some of DC’s local jazz venues.
*****
Her arrangements of straight-ahead standards and contemporary pop tunes blend genres effortlessly and with a fresh level of originality that is solidifying her own distinctive sound. Dave Nathan at AllAboutJazz.com says, Walker demonstrates an extraordinary degree of musicality. Michelle is often compared to Cassandra Wilson, Nina Simone and Betty Carter in style and tone. Based in New York City, Michelle Walker is a versatile singer blessed with a beautifully distinctive voice. This charismatic jazz vocalist uses an artful blend of blues, bebop, swing and soul that provides a musical playground for her and her band mates. With playful rhythmic expressiveness, Walker brings a level of sophisticated musicality to her lyrical phrasing that reveals her appreciation for mentor Mark Murphy. Yet, it is in her live performances where you hear the influences of Carter, Simone and Wilson. All seem to have provided her with a musical foundation but her study of them does not seem to have skewed her journey to find a singular voice.

Michelle was chosen as one of his April 2006 Top Ten jazz performances to see live. Others included, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Werner, Paul Bollenback Trio, Dave Liebman, Bucky Pizzarelli and the Yellowjackets. The Washington-bred jazz vocalist has a penchant for choice pop ballads, but it's her soulful voice and thoughtful interpretations that set her apart. Walker's new recording...has seductive charm... Slow Down is more than a title, it's an invitation that's hard to resist...[and it]...illustrates Walker's soulful and often soul-comforting allure. [She has]...a voice naturally tilted toward the blues end of the jazz spectrum
--Mike Joyce, Washington Post
For a debut jazz vocals CD, SLOW DOWN is excitingly original in concept and innovative approach, and the vocals of Michelle Walker are topnotch. Michelle Walker has a sensual, restrained, melodic voice that will attract new listeners in the jazz listening audience. Every note is perfectly sounded, every emotion is perfectly visualized as well as vocalized, and her voice is very poignant.
--Lee Prosser, Jazz Review
Michelle Walker essentially entices with her vocal signature of relaxed phrasing and a bluesy frenzy similar to vocal stylings of Lady Day. Slow Down is an original that is truly her own style and innermost story. How wonderful are the things that we artists can create when we stick to our own voices. I'll surely look forward to her next release that shares that same vibe and innermost originality that Michelle expresses through her own niche of writing and arrangement. I demand more writing from Ms. Walker, for her own voice is what sets her apart from the rest.
--Lisa Donaldson, Music Monthly
Born in Germany, song stylist Michelle Walker now lives and performs in the Washington. D. C. area. Although the play list has a couple of less familiar tunes, including a Walker original, for her first album she has chosen to stay with selections from the standard repertoire. Showing influences of Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson and even Rose Murphy, Walker possesses a set of strong vocal chords which she uses with remarkable restraint. Even though it's obvious that she has the physical equipment to belt out everything she sings, she has wisely chosen to be restrained, using her vocal powers like a small hand gun rather than as a howitzer. She also demonstrates an extraordinary degree of musicality as she adds subtle alterations to melody lines, going up when one expects her to go down and other ear catching devices. Walker has a penchant for working in and around the beat as on "Time after Time". Another mannerism that bodes well for Walker's future as a jazz singer is the ability to avoid over playing emoting card. She applies just the right amount of personal investment necessary to enhance the tune she is performing. "Nature Boy" is sincere without turning saccharine. A track certain to attract attention is "East of the Sun" where Walker sits atop a Latin beat and Wayne Wilentz's on the mark comping on piano. Just when you begin to think that another version of "Summertime" would indeed be superfluous, along comes a singer like Walker who ordains this tune with a freshness which more than justifies another listen. Here, as well as on virtually every track, Walker's superb backup musicians get an opportunity to stretch out. Dave Cosby's guitar is particularly prominent on this cut and Justin Lees brandishes a mean axe on "Sometimes I'm Happy". Marc Blackwood and Jim West on bass and drums serve the session well with their timely intervention and steady time keeping.
Slow Down is a commendable maiden CD and is heartily recommended.
--DAVE NATHAN, Published: April 12, 2002

Michelle Walker - Vocal; Wayne Wilentz - Piano; Dave Cosby, Justin Lees* - Guitar; Marc Blackwood - Bass; Jim West - Drums