by Ken DrydenThe cool-toned vocalist Meredith d'Ambrosio performs ten originals (she wrote both lyrics and music for eight, collaborating on the other two) in this relaxing studio session. It is difficult not to use some of liner note author Doug Ramsey's many adjectives to describe this marvelous singer, who is able to tell a story effortlessly with her pure, unaffected vocals, backed by the excellent support from trumpeter/flügelhornist Don Sickler (who especially adds a nice touch with his playing on the larger instrument), pianist Cecilia Coleman, bassist Tim Givens, and drummer Vince Cherico. Whether her theme is love in bloom, love lost, loneliness, or sentiment, d'Ambrosio conveys it in her soft, swinging style. This is the perfect CD for a quiet evening with someone special.