'RHYME OR REASON'
My Foolish Heart/ In A Sentimental Mood/
O Barquinho (Little Boat)/ Since I Fell For You
Cuando Vuelva Tu Lado (What A Difference A Day Makes)/ Rhyme Or Reason/ Love Me Or Leave Me/ Peel Me A Grape/ Lazy Afternoon
Day In Day Out/ In The Wee Small Hours Of
The Morning

Julie Edwards: vocal/ Kevin Dearden: soprano, alto, baritone saxes & guitar/ Edward Barnwell: piano/ Frank Grime: double bass/ Rob Turner: drums/ Chris Sykes: percussion

Recorded, engineered and produced at by
Kevin Dearden/ Photographs by Robert
Binstead/ Eden Productions 2007

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO LISTEN:
In A Sentimental Mood
O Barquinho (Little Boat)
Since I Fell For You
What A Difference A Day Makes (Cuando Vuelva Tu Lado)
Rhyme Or Reason
Love Me Or Leave Me
Peel Me A Grape

'Rhyme or Reason':

"Growing in maturinty with every outing, here this very good singer swings through an attractive selection of songs, matched every step of the way by the saxophonist-guitarist. There is a lithe, dancing quality to Edwards's vocal sound, which alone brings a seemingly effortless swing to the proceedings. Dearden provides some pleasing solos and the variety of instruments at his disposal broadens the overall effect. The contributions from the other four instrumentalists are all of a similarly high standard. The whole is an album that should appeal to many , especially those who re a little weary of the smooth jazz offerings with which we are inundated these days. I see from the Edwards-Dearden itinerary that they are still largely active in the north of England (a brief Spanish trip aside) and this CD will hopefully go a long way to bringing them to the attention of other parts of UK and Europe. They certainly deserve a much wider audience. In the meantime, if you are outside their touring range, do yourself a favour and buy this." Bruce Crowther

"'Rhyme or Reason' will certainly appeal to many who heard the highly compatible pair of singer Edwards and instrumentalist/producer Dearden on their recent national tour, not least because the duo's highly varied material is extensively influenced by the tastes of its regular listeners. The versatile Dearden plays saxophones and debuts on guitar here - and Edward Barnwell on piano, Frank Grime on bass, with Rob Turner and Chris Sykes on drums and percussion are right on top of the music. But the spotlight is mostly on Julie Edwards - her jazz expressiveness is very moving on 'In a Sentimental Mood' and the poignant original title track. 'Love Me or Leave Me', on the other hand, shows how well she can groove." Jazz UK

"Not the least impressive feature of Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden's latest CD is the choice of material, on the grounds of both of qualiry and variety - anyone who can find a place for 'My Foolish Heart', 'Since I Fell For You' and 'Peel Me A Grape' has my vote. My Foolish Heart... has the merit of of spotlighting Kevin Dearden's excellent guitar playing - to those who, like me, thought of him purely as a saxophonist/flautist. I should mention that he also produced and engineered the album. 'In A Sentimental Mood is delivered with exemplary control (brooding baritone sax here), 'O Barquinho' is a delicately perky foray into bilingualism and 'Since I Fell For You' gets the full-on blues treatment from Julie and the band. The title song is the only original, its melancholy mood instantly dispersed by an optimistically swinging take on 'Love Me Or Leave me' with exuberant piano from Edward Barnwell. After the sardonic 'Peel Me A Grape' the later tracks tend to the reflective, with a beautifully restrained 'In The Wee Small Hours' a perfectly judged conclusion." Jazz Rag

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'CONNECTIONS'
Devil May Care/ How Insensitive/ Round Midnight/ Connections/ Caravan/ It Might As Well Be Spring/ O Pato/ The Nearness Of You
Looks Like Destiny (Little Samba)/ My One And Only Love/ Well You Needn't

CLICK ON LINKS BELOW TO LISTEN:
Devil May Care
How Insensitive
Round Midnight sax
Round Midnight vocal
Connections
Caravan
O Pato
My One And Only Love

'Connections':

'In my review of this couple's debut CD, 'Eden', I remarked that she was a singer to listen and watch out for. Well, if you haven't had the opportunity to follow this recommendation in the past year, now's your chance. Among the qualities that set Edwards apart from many in the still-growing throng is her continuing musical relationship with Dearden. As accompanist, soloist, arranger, he provides a secure base upon which the singer is able to build her interpretations and their interplay is a delight. This is not to downplay the important contributions by the other instrumentalists on hand; but clearly singer and saxophonist have an enviable empathic relationship. Although still best known in the north of England, Edwards's reputation is steadily spreading. This new CD suggests that she will achieve her aims, and the jazz singing scene will be all the better for it. Most of the songs are familiar but thanks to the care and understanding with which they are approached and the relaxed and nuanced manner in which they are performed, they all come up fresh and delightful. On this showing, Edwards, fluid and commanding, has clearly joined the front runners in the world of the female jazz singer, and a very welcome addition she is too. Good sound and a brief note by Mike Pinfold round out the package. I recommended the previous CD and I unhesitatingly do the same with this one.' Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International

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'Eden':

'These days the world is awash with self-styled 'jazz' singers who are producing their own CDs. Most of which, let's face it, are not only inferior but actually debase the genre. Not so here. Julie Edwards, a new name to me, is a true jazz singer and this CD sparkles like a real gem amongst the dross. Her voice is a delight to listen to, everything in place, sound, intonation, range, control and she swings as well. Her chosen material, from the standard jazz repertoire, including 'Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me' and 'Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most' is simply arranged and beautifully produced and her rendition of 'My Romance' as a ballad is superb. Ably supported by her quartet, Kevin Dearden (who also produced the CD) on saxophonees/flute, Nigel Champman, piano, Tom Mark, bass and Chris Sykes, drums, even the up-tempo tracks sound relaxed. Recommended.'
Lee Gibson, Musician Magazine

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