This is one of Nina Simone’s best albums in a long time.
She’s taken a flock of Duke Ellington tunes, some familiar and some not-so-familiar, and handed
them interesting and intriguing renditions in her own special style. The album’s a bit straighter than later efforts,
with large backings by Stu Phillips that also feature vocals by the Malcolm Dodds Singers. The result is a masterpiece,
proof that even in her early years, Nina could completely transform anything she laid her hands on, and unlock
a soulful depth that even the original recordings might have missed. Titles
include “I Got It Bad”, “Solitude”, “The Gal From Joe’s”, “It Don’t Mean A Thing”, and “I Like The Sunrise”.