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| Larkin McLean Brings Wit, Sass and Sensuality Calling Larkin McLean's independent self-titled, bossa nova flavored debut "right up there with Frank Sinatra's collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim, "online indie tastemaker CDBaby.com exclaimed it as "an ideal choice to have sex to." The L.A. based songwriter and vocal stylist, who confidently declares herself "a pop singer doing songs with a jazz feel, " is as sensuous and seductive as ever on her highly anticipated follow-up "X-Rated Musical, "but this time, she has slightly more than sex on her mind. Like laughter. "I hope the album tells the story of lust with humor, " she says. "Lust is an old story. That's how a lot of us got here." McLean infuses this playful attitude into great, quirky storytelling lyrics and musical vibes that expand her palette beyond mid-60's Astrud Gilberto-Stan Getz (as on "Do I Still Love You") to incorporate nouveau retro elements of soulful jazz, blues, country and even some exotic Tahitian flavors. "There's definitely a sexual vibe in these songs, but there are also a lot of emotions attached, too, " she adds. Larkin's lyrics reveal a unique array of influences -- singer songwriters Dave Frishberg, Oscar Brown Jr., Frank Loesser, Mose Allison, Tom Waits, and Fats Waller. Helping McLean bring her colorful musical glimpse of Los Angeles' diverse, glitzy but often dark landscape of worldly jazz musicians, tanned surfers, beautiful strangers and drifting daydreamers to life is renowned musician Kenny Lyon. Lyon is a former member of The Lemonheads who frequently plays with hipster loving bands like Brazzaville and with Jim Bianco, Mark Curry, Joel Virgel and Los Super Elegantes. He co-wrote all ten tracks with McLean, in addition to producing, arranging, engineering and playing bass, guitar and the Tahitian Ukelele. McLean's recording band also includes many of the city's top session and touring musicians. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |