I can’t say that I was familiar with the band known as Sami Stevens and The Man I Love but I have to say that I am glad to have made their musical acquaintance as their album “And I’m Right” has the mark of maturity and that’s a rare thing to find these days.
Certainly, those of you whose ears are drawn towards the jazzier end of the musical spectrum will find much to admire in this album and, perhaps fortunately, the songs never stray into the freeform abyss with, consequently, that disciplined approach benefitting the performances and allowing Sami Stevens to concentrate on getting the message across rather than overdosing on opportunities for vocal pyrotechnics. Talking of those songs, the lyrics often impress as well with “She Is God” and “Child They Said Was Mine” mixing together Phoebe Snow style lyrical intelligence with a concise emotional impact. Smooth jazz fans will, I suspect, take greater comfort in “Baby Blue” and the positively jaunty “Learn to Love” so, when it comes down to it, there is something here for everyone who appreciates a bit of class.
Since her name is on the front of the album, it is only fair to give credit to Sami Stevens’s casual yet confident vocal style that neatly swoops between uptown urbane and what might even be classed as urban these days. She’s easy on the ear and that helps to make “And I’m Right” more than right for me.