Lyambiko has a diverse repertoire, perhaps due to the singer being part German and part African. For her second recording, she utilizes the same trio as on the first: pianist Marque Lowenthal, bassist Robin Draganic, and drummer
Torsten Zwingenberger. The group is tight, versatile, and quite alert, with the music ranging from a few standards (including a touching version of "Dindi," "Tenderly," a swinging "Isn't It a Lovely Day," and the humorous
Mose Allison song "Your Mind Is on Vacation and Your Mouth Is Working Overtime") to some wordless vocals that reflect
Lyambiko's African heritage. On part of the 15-and-a-half-minute "Savannah Suite,"
Lyambiko plays claves before eventually singing in a haunting fashion. She overdubs her voice on three songs, but the effect accentuates the music rather than seeming excessive. She has a lovely instrument and is definitely an up-and-comer in the jazz world. ~ Scott Yanow