KJ Denhert
Album No. 9
Motema Records
www.motema.com
By George W. Harris

Almost impossible to classify, singer/guitarist KJ Denhert continues to put out intriguing music. This one is a bit of a wax and wane between pop and folk jazz, sort of like Kenny Rankin. She leads a band that features Etienne Stadwyjk/p and Francois Moutin/b as well as some other mixing and matching musicians, for a menu that goes from a sincere “Shadow Of Your Smile” to a snazzy reading of Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water.” Hard to top that, but she does, with a gentle take of Lennon’s “Help” that sounds like it was meant when it was first penned. Her voice is Evora assured, as she wafts through “Alfie” and “Pennies From Heaven” as easily as boomer hits. Gotta love this cookie cutter chucking lady!