NICOLAS BEARDE
Visions
Right Groove Records

If you’re like me, you can never get enough of soulful vocal icons like Phil Perry, Jon Lucien and Lou Rawls. I’m making room on the list for Nicolas Bearde, whose bona fides are impressive: He’s a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s world renowned and innovative a cappella vocal ensemble Voicestra! With his fourth CD, VISIONS, Bearde taps into a repertoire of soulful love songs with jazz, R&B, pop and blues shadings. “You’re Sensational,” a real highlight, dips south of the border with its Bossa Nova rhythms, lyrical vocalism and sunny optimism. It’s a tune you’re sure to play many times! Never boring, VISIONS combines the exhilarating organ runs of “Misty” with the toe-tapping kind of jazz you like best in “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” There’s plenty of dreamy and romantic ballads, including “Falling In Love Again,” “Never Let Me Go” and “Everything Must Change,” which express true longing. Through it all, Bearde amazes with a sparkling vocal dexterity that rightfully captured McFerrin’s attention back in the day! ~BRIAN SOERGEL

GOING FOR ADDS NOW Click MP3 button for 320k download
You're Sensational (4:28)