Review: Intricate arrangements and big and bold orchestrations, featuring saxophonist Richie Cole, characterize this six piece mixed group's sound, a pleasing mix of old and new jazz influences. The sound is suggestive of the Singers Unlimited in terms of complexity, though on "Waltz For Debby" and the tour-de-force (written by Clare Fischer) "The Quiet Side," the richness of the voicings invites comparisons to the Real Group. Speaking of "The Quiet Side," it is a seven minute exploration of form and tonality that begins a cappella, segues into a mid-tempo accompanied section that escalates in intensity using scat as it's medium, through an ascending sequence that descends again to the original introduction. "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" takes a vocal percussion idea which then evolves into a sultry duet with shimmering backups, "C'est Si Bon" is a throaty and suggestive interplay between voice and flugelhorn, with the horn part equal in importance to the arrangement. "Johnny One Note" is the Gene Puerling arrangement. A highly enjoyable and accomplished collection.

Songlist: Johnny One Note, C'Est Si Bon, Jubilee, Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars', Stella By Starlight, Waltz For Debbie, My Melancholy Baby, The Quiet Side

Review: Formed in 1982 by students of the esteemed director Phil Mattson, members of the P.M. Singers became identified with the Phil Mattson School and many have gone on to great professional and academic success in their own right. (Two examples are Joe Finetti, who now sings with The Bobs, and Michele Weir, a respected educator and arranger.) This mixed group has the talent and range to master the most technical of charts, as well as the warmth and emotion to stir the heart-witness"A Child Is Born," with a facile piano accompaniment by Phil Mattson himself, who plays keyboards throughout. Many of the arrangements allow one voice to solo, adding and subtracting harmonies for interest and variety. "I'll BeSeeing You" is a cappella and allows the melody to shine, gradually opening up the song with a frugal harmony that never interferes, but builds to a subtle crescendo and then resolves to an elegant closing cadence, the lead voice holding the final note while the lower parts complete the subject. A pleasure to listen to and a model of arranging virtuosity.

Songlist: New York Afternoon, Desafinado, Body And Soul, I Hear Music, Night In The City, How Long Has This Been Goin' On, A Child Is Born, Jeanine, I'll Be Seeing You