Regular readers of jazz-not-jazz know that there’s a vibrant jazz scene apart from all the Norahs, Dianas, Cassandras or Diannes out there who have the promotion power of a major label to support them. Most of the time I would trade Carmen Lundy, Faye Victor, Dee Daniels, Deborah Carter, Juliet Kelly or Lois Deloatch for any of the afore-mentioned singers. You may be familiar with the songstresses other than Lois Deloatch. She may be a new name for you (just as it was for me) although Closure is already her second album.
Her debut, Sunrise, was recorded under her former name Lois Dawson and contains original compositions only. Something that I always encourage because there wouldn’t be any musical evolution if everyone does cover versions. Although I wouldn’t even mind hearing her on an album full of standards considering Lois’ rich, velvet contralto voice, which sometimes reminds me of the late Teri Thornton, and her phrasing and singing style.
The songs on Closure were recorded live with a few overdubs in two afternoons at Noah Evens’s house in July 2001 and scheduled for mastering on September 11, 2001. The events of that day found Lois hesitating to release her sophomore set because she considered it an “insignificant” record at that time.
Luckily for us all she has made up her mind and finally released this great jazz album.
Lois decided to include three cover versions on Closure. Her renditions of Solitude, Tenderly and of a combined version of Coltrane’s/Davis’ Equinox/All Blues show that she also feels at home with other people’s song and has the ability to adopt them and make them her own.
Lois’ craftsmanship really shines on her own compositions. The very personal songs were written as a kind of therapy “to document and move beyond a very difficult period in my life“, says Lois.
So it’s no surprise that songs like the title track Closure have a melancholy feeling, musically this song is a fine blend of jazz and blues with a guitar solo by Scott Sawyer and a soprano sax solo by Ira Wiggins.
And it’s Ira’s sax that adds that special touch to the songs Reflection and A Good Cry, besides Lois’ singing of course.
A Good Cry is another good example of Lois personal songwriting. The song starts rather sad (”I was lonely and feeling blue/ The weight of the world falling on me like rain, heavy rain“) but finds her with new hope, enjoying live’s simple things with a new view of the world (”alone but not lonely“).
Two instrumentals, Trigger and Perpetual Motion, emphasise Lois’ talent as composer. While Trigger has an interesting approach of marrying jazz with some Jimi Hendix guitar chords, it’s Perpetual Motion that really impresses me. Starting with whistling by Lois’ husband Ed Gomes this soon turns into a great groove with 9 and a half minutes length that shows what a bunch of talented musicians Lois has put together.
On the whole Closure is a great jazz album from a gifted singer/songwriter that will stand the test of time and certainly will find its way into your CD player time and again.

Tracklisting of Closure: 1. Reflection/ 2. Solitude/ 3. Perpetual Motion/ 4. A Good Cry/ 5. Kamissie/ 6. Tenderly (Intro)/ 7. Tenderly/ 8. Closure/ 9. Equinox/All Blues/ 10. Trigger | released 2005 by Lois Deloatch

For more infos visit loisdeloatch.com and cdbaby.com.

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