Requisites

Alexandria The Great was recorded in 1964 by vocalist Lorez Alexandria and released and distributed on the MCA Impulse! label. Emerging from the Los Angeles, California studio, this now classic recording sessions, three, each with a different group of musicians, rendered ten songs for a total time of 36:25, proving that greatness does not require length.

The compositions are a group of standards that we’ve heard time and again but not in the emotive manner that Lorez relates. This album reflects her soulful, playful and swinging sides with a hint of her gospel roots. Her ballads remind of us how good love is as she speaks to our hearts of relationships new and old.

The songs are listed as: Show Me, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, Satin Doll, My One and Only Love, Over the Rainbow, Get Me to the Church On Time, The Best Is Yet to Come, I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face, Give Me the Simple Life and I’m Through With Love.

Along with vocals added finger snaps and contributing to the liner notes, her musical colleagues included Paul Chambers on bass, Jimmy Cobb on drums, Ray Crawford on guitar, Victor Feldman on piano and vibraphone, Paul Horn on flute and alto saxophone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Al McKibbon on bass and Bud Shank on flute.

Session and design personnel were Tutti Camarata/producer and original recording producer, Bill Marx/arranger, Ken Druker/executive producer, Mark Cooper Smith/production assistant, Sherniece Smith/art producer, Bob Thiele/producer & liner notes, Joe Lebow/liner design, Hideaki Nishimura/mastering, Hollis King/art direction, Bryan Koniarz/producer, Roger Marshutz/photography and cover photo, and Robert Flynn did the cover design.

Though Lorez Alexandria never received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording for 11 years. This, however, is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition.

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