One of my favorite singers, Nnenna Freelon, is starting the new year with a one-two punch. Concord just released a compilation from her catalog at the label titled Better Than Anything: The Quintessential Nnenna Freelon. In addition to pulling from the seven albums she recorded for Concord, the compilation includes the track “Ooh Child” previously available only on the UTV Records gospel compilation Church: Songs Of Soul & Inspiration. It’s nicely priced too.
Nnnena is also featured on the just-released Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars: Live At The 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival. She’s joined on this recording by Benny Green, Terence Blanchard, and James Moody. It’s available now on the Monterey Jazz Festival Records label via iTunes.