Claire Martin - He Never Mentioned Love - The Observer

Claire Martin dedicates this set of 13 songs to the memory of Shirley Horn "who takes my breath away". There are few singers who could stand comparison with the late mistress of vocal poise, but Martin has a perfect jazz voice - warm, textured and subtle - which allows her to venture calmly into the daunting, ultra-slow territory which was Horn's speciality. She does it quite beautifully, breathing new life into songs like You're Nearer, with the lightest of touches. Two new songs, her own Slowly but Shirley and Ian Shaw's Slow Time, match the mood seamlessly. Perfect accompaniment, especially from guitarist Jim Mullen and pianist Gareth Williams.