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Funky Ella: I Put a Spell on You

By Jack Bowers
November 18, 2021
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Although singer

Leslie Lewis

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Leslie Lewis and her husband, pianist

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerard Hagen, have been making beautiful music together for some years and recorded five earlier CDs together, I Put a Spell on You is the first under the group name Funky Ella (which represents a deep bow to another jazz singer of note). The album was recorded in Paris, France, the ensemble's home base, with guitarist

Nicolas Peslier

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicolas Peslier, bassist

Peter Giron

bass, acoustic
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Giron, drummer

Mourad Benhammou

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mourad Benhammou and percussionist

Jean-Philippe Naeder

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Jean-Philippe Naeder completing the lineup.

As the band's name suggests, funk is on the front burner, and it wastes no time heating up on Screamin' Jay Hawkins' title selection, deftly introduced by the rhythm section and enhanced by Lewis' soulful entreaty. There is more of the same on

Al Jarreau

vocals
1940 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Jarreau's gospel-centered "Have You Seen the Child" and, to be honest, on every other number, from Leonard Cohen's rock anthem, "Hallelujah" (with Giron superb on Arco and strings),

Nat Adderley

trumpet
1931 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat Adderley's blue-collar "Work Song" and Barry and Robin Gibbs' plaintive "To Love Somebody" through Will Holt's high-powered "Sinnerman" (on which Penhamou and Naeder stoke the furnace), Lennon & McCartney's idealistic "Come Together" and the psalm-like finale, Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley's "Feelin' Good" (from the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd).

While Lewis spends the most time assuming a leading role, her supporting cast is earnest and unflagging, lending a suitable vibe to every song and soloing admirably whenever the need arises. For those whose bag is funk or soul, Funky Ella should be squarely in their strike zone. Lewis is an excellent singer, Hagen likewise on piano, and the group goes about its funky business with finesse and flair.

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Track Listing

I Put a Spell on You; Have You Seen the Child; Hallelujah; Work Song; To Love Somebody; Sinnerman; Come Together; Feelin�� Good.

Personnel

Gerard Hagen

piano

Leslie Lewis

vocals

Peter Giron

bass, acoustic

Nicolas Peslier

guitar

Mourad Benhammou

drums

Jean-Philippe Naeder

percussion

Album information

Title: I Put a Spell on You | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced

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