Beyond Standard Jazz

by: John M. Peters March 19, 2011

Dreams are a funny thing - when I wake up I can never recall what imaginary dreamland I had been inhabiting that night while asleep [well, apart from that one about Cameron Diaz and the Cornish pasty...
don't ask!]. But for Mary Jenson dreams are a vivid experience that remain long enough to re-experience in her waking state. And that is the theme of this album, Beyond - dreams and the human emotions and experiences they bring.

Eleven tracks, some self-composed and the rest covers of classic pop and soul classics. Ms Jenson's own songs are Say My Name, Beyond, Flying Falling, Things My Mother Said. Among the covers are: Temptation [Tom Waits], Come Together [Lennon & McCartney], Too High [Stevie Wonder], Moon At The Window [Joni Mitchell], Anouman [Django Reinhart]. A fusion of Jazz and elements of World music, Beyond has a big sound thanks to the extensive list of musicians listed on the cover - far too many to mention in the space here, but these musicians bring much to the album, a diverse range of musical styles and some electric performances. And floating on top of or riding the crest of the music is Ms Jenson and her mellifluous voice. It really is a wonderful thing - light and floaty one moment and then bluesy the next.

Beyond is poppy enough enjoy without having to like Jazz, it is easy on the ear and a very approachable album.
- THE BORDERLAND (musicwatch column)

by: Wilbert Sostre March 19, 2011

For her second album Beyond, singer/composer Mary Jenson reunited a great group of musicians. Percussionist Alex Acuña and Grammy nominated trombonist Wayne Wallace accompanied Jenson in this music voyage of four originals, four pop covers and three jazz standards.
Acuña along with bassist Troy Lampkins and drummer Will Kennedy lay down a superb rhythm foundation for Mary Jenson’s powerful interpretation of Tom Waits "Temptation". Most jazz listeners will remember this song for the Diana Krall version recorded in her 2004 album The Girl in the Other Room.
Two of Jenson originals "Say My Name," "Flying, Falling," Joni Mitchell's "Moon at the Window" and The Beatles "Come Together" has elements of smooth jazz.
José Neto plays the sitar on another Jenson original, "Beyond", the lyrics on this one has a nice message of unity and an Arabian influence in the melodies.
Jenson’s always versatile and soulful voice is equally comfortable singing ballads like Django Reindhart's “Anouman”, funk tracks like "Too High" or Bossa Nova influenced arrangements like "The Lamp is Low". Darian Gray does the rapping in the funky Stevie Wonders "Too High".
Two of the highlights on Beyond is the wonderful version of Kurt Elling's "Orange Blossoms in Summertime" and the fun lyrics on Jenson’s original "Things My Mother Said".

- JAZZTimes

by: Wilbert Sostre March 19, 2011

For her second album Beyond, singer/composer Mary Jenson reunited a great group of musicians. Percussionist Alex Acuña and Grammy nominated trombonist Wayne Wallace accompanied Jenson in this music voyage of four originals, four pop covers and three jazz standards.
Acuña along with bassist Troy Lampkins and drummer Will Kennedy lay down a superb rhythm foundation for Mary Jenson’s powerful interpretation of Tom Waits "Temptation". Most jazz listeners will remember this song for the Diana Krall version recorded in her 2004 album The Girl in the Other Room.
Two of Jenson originals "Say My Name," "Flying, Falling," Joni Mitchell's "Moon at the Window" and The Beatles "Come Together" has elements of smooth jazz.
José Neto plays the sitar on another Jenson original, "Beyond", the lyrics on this one has a nice message of unity and an Arabian influence in the melodies.
Jenson’s always versatile and soulful voice is equally comfortable singing ballads like Django Reindhart's “Anouman”, funk tracks like "Too High" or Bossa Nova influenced arrangements like "The Lamp is Low". Darian Gray does the rapping in the funky Stevie Wonders "Too High".
Two of the highlights on Beyond is the wonderful version of Kurt Elling's "Orange Blossoms in Summertime" and the fun lyrics on Jenson’s original "Things My Mother Said".

- JAZZTimes