Is Ms. Jazz a good place to start with Carmen McRae?

Yes, Ms. Jazz is recommended as a starting point for new Carmen McRae listeners. A sophisticated blend of jazz standards and original compositions showcasing McRae's rich, emotive vocals and impeccable phrasing. Released in 1974, Ms. Jazz was Carmen McRae's third album with the renowned label Blue Note, following her successful 1972 album, 'Carmen Sings Monk'. At this point in her career, McRae was gaining recognition as a leading jazz vocalist known for her unique interpretations and expressive style.

Ms. Jazz works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, rich vocal textures and depth and soulful arrangements for relaxation.

How many songs are on Ms. Jazz?

Ms. Jazz has 10 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Ms. Jazz

Carmen McRae · 1974

35 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A sophisticated blend of jazz standards and original compositions showcasing McRae's rich, emotive vocals and impeccable phrasing.

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Top tracks — play these first

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You Are the Sunshine of My Life Start here — McRae’s interpretation transforms this classic into a jazz ballad, highlighting her ability to infuse emotional depth into well-known melodies.
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The Good Life — This track showcases McRae’s powerful vocal delivery and lyrical storytelling, encapsulating themes of aspiration and contentment with a jazzy instrumental backdrop.
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Masquerade — With its poignant lyrics and intricate melodic line, this song exemplifies McRae’s skill in conveying complex emotions through nuanced phrasing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

McRae's blend of standards and originals showcases her vocal prowess within a cohesive jazz framework.

What we noticed

The album opens with a well-known standard, immediately establishing McRae's vocal style and phrasing.
Tracks alternate between jazz standards and original compositions, maintaining a consistent tempo throughout.
Several tracks feature intricate instrumental arrangements that complement McRae's vocals without overshadowing them.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic flow throughout
rich vocal textures and depth
soulful arrangements for relaxation
for intimate gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening experiences
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved for its blend of jazz standards and original compositions, showcasing McRae's style.
Career context: Released in 1974, Ms. Jazz was Carmen McRae's third album with the renowned label Blue Note, following her successful 1972 album, 'Carmen Sings Monk'. At this point in her career, McRae was gaining recognition as a leading jazz vocalist known for her unique interpretations and expressive style.
Stylistic neighbors: Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Ella Fitzgerald