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Personnel: Chris Connor (vocals); Herbie Mann (flute); J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding (trombone); Ralph Sharon (piano); Joe Puma (guitar); Milt Hinton (bass); Osie Johnson (drums).
Recorded in April 1955. Originally released on Bethlehem Records.
The short-lived West Coast Bethlehem label certainly made an impact with a hip catalogue that included Nina Simone's first album, Bob Dorough's debut, seminal LPs by Mel Torme, Charles Mingus, Betty Roche, and, not least, Chris Connor. Connor was with the label less than a year before she moved on to Atlantic but all three of her Bethlehem titles are winners. THIS IS CHRIS (1955) doesn't have a particular standout (though her version of Alec Wilder's "Trouble Is a Man" comes close) but its dark, concise mood is satisfying in the way of classic '50s jazz vocal albums. In truth, Chris Connor was a jazz singer with a somewhat limited vocal and emotional range. But she is a classic because she never overreaches and can be depended on to hit the notes squarely on the mark, like an experienced B-movie actress who always delivers. Another highlight: the great Kai Winding-J.J. Johnson trombone duo taking the lead on "I Concentrate On You," as Chris saunters in easily midway, buoyed by the congas and easy swing of the band.
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