Melody Gardot- Sunset In The Blue (Decca Records)

Sunset in the Blue is the fifth album from American jazz singer Melody Gardot, now residing in Paris. Recorded in the French capital during lockdown it has all the moodiness of walking along the side of the Seine during a misty autumn morning.

On 'C’est Magnifique' she duets with Antonio Zambujo on a timeless slinky jazz number. Many of the tracks on the album were recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which benefits the album, giving the songs more depth and soulfulness.

'There Where He Lives With Me' is ideal for her to sing if she were to appear at the Nice Jazz Festival or Juan les Pins. Her voice is not stretched but restrained and welcoming.

She ups the pace on 'Ninguem Ninguem (No One, No One)' with a guitar riff and jittery percussion. Whilst on 'From Paris With Love' the violin makes the song even more soulful.

'Moon River' steers away little from the Audrey Hepburn original but still sounds atmospheric.

A big surprise comes with the bonus track, 'Little Something' which features Sting. The north east singer comes originally from a jazz background long before The Police became famous. The song is at odds with the rest of the album; at times it could be the cousin to 'Fields of Gold'. A highly addictive end to this accomplished jazz album.

I rate the album 3 out of 5.