The first thing that attracts attention on Elegant Traveler, Jocelyn Gould's debut as a leader, is her guitar's tone. The sound she coaxes from the instrument has a profound effect on the music as a whole, yet it remains intimate, unpretentious and disarming. Whether Gould is playing a melody, improvising, or offering sparse accompaniment, it is these qualities, instead of an anxious, rapid-fire delivery, which lead the way. Every note is struck with care, stands up on its own, and rings out with a pristine clarity. The spaces between the full, rounded notes are nearly as important and speak for themselves. To name an example of her deliberate, understated mastery, throughout the blues "The Game Changer"—one of the record's standout tracks—an array of bent and elongated tones sound like the most sinful concoction on the dessert cart.

Gould's guitar blends nicely with a core band of pianist