The Secret of a RoseSelf Released ***

From the opening bars on Emilie Conway’s debut recording (a tender version of Jimmy Van Heusen’s But Beautiful, with accompaniment to match from pianist Johnny Taylor), two things are clear. The first is that the young Dubliner is not trying to break any moulds. The Secret of a Rose is a jazz singer’s album in the classic style, featuring a selection of mostly American songbook standards, sung fairly straight, accompanied by a piano trio. So far, so predictable. But while Conway may not be an innovator, her unaffected, slightly breathy voice has an authentic quality which renders even the most saccharine

songs believable, and with a consummately professional job from bassist Dave Fleming and drummer Dominic Mullan (and some moments of magic from Taylor) even dusty chestnuts such as Time After Time, So in Love and It Might as Well Be Spring come up smelling of roses. emilieconway.ie