At the conclusion of her thoughtful liner notes to the great, stylistically diverse and jazz vocalist and songwriter Mon David’s DNA Continuum, fellow treasured L.A. jazz scene performer Cathy Segal Garcia writes, “Open your heart, take a deep listen, and let the love wash over you.”
There’s really no better way to express the magic that comes from the artful balance of emotions that happen when the Filipino singer – who brought his family to the U.S. in 2007 to pursue a jazz career – matches his impossibly low and resonant voice to the jazzy genius, arrangements and solos of pianist Josh Nelson and, on four tracks, the soulful effervescence of Larry Koonse’s guitar.
David’s got a fascinating back story, including leaving a successful pop career overseas to pursue his passion, but the more immediate narrative on this magnificent 11-track collection is that it’s the sequel to his acclaimed 2020 album DNA, a dual album with Nelson. From his opening percussive scat, clever phrasing and freewheeling scat throughout a peppy “As Long As You’re Living” through his heartfelt take on Fran Landesman’s reflective ballad “Scars,”
David takes the listener on a journey covering many facets of his personal and musical personality. Along the way, he leads the trio on a soulful spin through “Blowin’ In The Wind,” pays charming homage to “Duke & Billy” (an original vocal-piano duet with Nelson) and major influence Mark Murphy (on the playful, percussive romp “Murky! (Blues Tribute to Mark Murphy)” and spins a web of animated joy to the Miles Davis/Jon Hendricks’ vibrant “Four.”
He also showcases his convincing facility for Portuguese on the elegant “Luiza” and on the album’s emotional centerpiece/crown jewel, uses his native language, Pampango, to sing lyrics from a popular Filipino poet that he set to music on the expansive, truly mesmerizing eight-minute medley.
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