Thelma Gracen's lone EmArcy date boasts a warm, nocturnal atmosphere that belies the precision and complexity of its performances. Guitarist
Barney Kessel, tenorist
Georgie Auld, and pianist
Lou Levy are all in top form, delivering graceful, almost effortless support that encircles
Gracen's vocals like a kind of halo effect. Her cool, sophisticated interpretations of chestnuts like "I'll Remember April" and "Night and Day" immediately bring to mind the likes of
Anita O'Day and
Chris Connor, but
Gracen possesses a style and intelligence all her own -- it's a shame her discography is so slim.