Eden Productions Uk

'Rhyme Or Reason'

by Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden

 

 

'RHYME OR REASON'

Vocals: Julie Edwards
Saxes/Guitar: Kevin Dearden
Piano: Edward Barnwell
Acoustic Bass/Electric Bass: Frank Grime
Drums: Rob Turner
Percussion: Chris Sykes

My Foolish Heart
In A Sentimental Mood
Little Boat
Since I Fell For You
What A Differenve A Day Makes
Rhyme Or Reason
Love Me Or Leave Me
Peel Me A Grape
Lazy Afternoon
Day In Day Out
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

Produced by Kevin Dearden
Engineered by Kevin Dearden
at Eden Studios
Art Work By Mirror Image
Eden Productions UK 2007

 

"Rhyme Or Reason" Audio Clips

In A Sentimental Mood

O Barquinho

Since I Fell For You

What A Difference A Day Makes

Rhyme Or Reason

Love Me Or Leave Me

Peel Me A Grape

 

 "Rhyme Or Reason" Audio Clips Coming Soon
"Although her reputation initially rested largely upon extensive jazz club and concert work in the North of England, airplay on BBC national radio of her debut CD began much more widespread approval of her work. Julie Edwards has a very pleasing voice, which she uses thoughtfully to create original and interesting interpretations of standards and jazz songs. Especially attractive, is Julie's obvious delight in singing, something that she readily communicates to her audience. The first of these three CDs offers good accompaniment from a rhythm section and the saxophones and flute of Kevin Dearden. One of the best debut CDs I have heard in quite a while, and which indicated the start of something good. These thoughts were confirmed and amplified with the release of Connections, a set that clearly demonstrated growth and maturity in two artists who were already forces to be reckoned with. Delightful interpretations of fine songs abound; singing and playing are of the very highest order. With the third set, the growth of this singer continues and she brings maturity in sound and sensibilities to a very attractive selection of songs that are mostly familiar but far from overused. There are also a few songs rarely heard while the title song is an original by Julie and Kevin. This is a selection to savour and if you are unfamiliar with this singer's work it is a very good place to start. You won't be disappointed."
Bruce Crowther

'Connections'

by Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden

 

 

'CONNECTIONS'

Vocals: Julie Edwards
Saxes/Flute: Kevin Dearden
Piano: Edward Barnwell, Nigel Chapman
Guitar: Curtis Shaw
Acoustic Bass: Ken Marley, Jake Newman
Electric Bass: Kevin Dearden
Drums: John Perry
Percussion: Chris Sykes

Devil May Care
How Insensitive
Round Midnight
Connections
Caravan
It Might As Well Be Spring
O Pato
The Nearness Of You
Looks Like Destiny (Little Samba)
My One And Only Love
Well You Needn't

Produced by Kevin Dearden
Engineered by Gareth Wilson
at Valley Road Studios, Leeds
Photographs by Robert Binstead
Eden Productions UK 2004

 

"Connections" Audio Clips

 

Devil May Care

How Insensitive

Round Midnight sax

Round Midnight vocal

Connections

Caravan

O Pato

My One And Only Love

'Connections' by Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden
Voted CD of the month by The Compact Disc Club, West Sussex

'In my review of this couple's debut CD, Eden, I remarked that she was a singer to listen and watch out for. Well, if you haven't had the opportunity to follow this recomendation in the past year, now's your chance. Among the qualities that set Edwards apart from many in the still-growing throng is her continuing musical relationship with Dearden. As accompanist, soloist, arranger, he provides a secure base upon which the singer is able to build her interpretations and their interplay is a delight. This is not to downplay the important contributions by the other instrumentalists on hand; but clearly singer and saxophonist have an enviable empathic relationship. Although still best known in the north of England, Edwards's reputation is steadily spreading. This new CD suggests that she will achieve her aims, and the jazz singing scene will be all the better for it. Most of the songs are familiar but thanks to the care and understanding with which they are approached and the relaxed and nuanced manner in which they are performed, they all come up fresh and delightful. On this showing, Edwards, fluid and commanding, has clearly joined the front runners in the world of the female jazz singer, and a very welcome addition she is too. Good sound and a brief note by Mike Pinfold round out the package. I recommended the previous CD and I unhesitatingly do the same with this one.'
Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International

'Yorkshire based singer Julie Edwards teams up with sax and flute supremo Kevin Dearden to present a work of great sophistication and taste. Their smooth and thoughtful partnership has made for extremely enjoyable listening and it highlights her particularly delicate vocal stylings, expecially on Jobim's 'How Insensitive' and the self-penned title track. Great care has obviously been taken in song selection, bringing to the fore supporting players such as guitarist Curtis Shaw.'
Musician Magazine

'After the highly impressive ‘Eden’, the musical partnership between Edwards and Dearden has continued to flourish, and the fruits of this labour are clearly audible in this new release. They have carried on the work laid down on the previous album, whilst managing to build on its strengths and continue to develop and take the music forward, in a way that is wholly satisfying and repays careful listening and attention to detail. So what are the major forces at work here? Well, as has been evident for sometime now, Julie Edwards is a vocalist who has worked hard at her music, and has a voice that is strong and confident in all registers. She swings mightily on the up tempo numbers and has a thoughtful and delicate approach to ballads. Sax playing partner, Kevin Dearden is an ideal foil, always putting the overall performance ahead of any flashy pyrotechnics, and keeps his contributions straight and to the point with his solos, and adds some telling and deft asides when accompanying the vocal line. There is also a huge step forward in the arrangements, with the addition of guitar and percussion giving the group a lighter sound, as is evidenced on a light and nimble ‘Caravan’ and ‘’Looks Like Destiny (Little Samba)’ one of two fine originals in the set. Dearden has an ear for a good hook within the fabric of the tune, and arranges with a restraint that allows the song to breathe rather than being overwhelmed. Listen out for the guitar line in ‘The Nearness Of You’ (which is perhaps my favourite track on the disc), and the delicate touch to Jobim’s ‘How Sensitive’. Other strong cuts include ‘O Pato’ with delightful lyrics by Jon Hendricks (and some nice flute from Kevin), and the other original ‘Connections’ with some bluesy alto sax, and a nice take on Monk’s ‘Well You Needn’t’; but for my money it is the ballads that really stand out. The aforementioned ‘The Nearness Of You’, a feature for Kevin’s soprano on ‘It Might As Well Be Spring’, and a beautiful ‘My One And Only Love’ are all exemplary. This is an album that you will want to return to often, and if you have heard Julie and Kevin live or have bought ‘Eden’ you will wish to add this to your collection. If you have yet to sample the delights, then ‘Connections’ is an excellent way to make your acquaintance.'
Jazz Views (Jazz Views featured 'Connections' as one of their top ten CD choices for 2005.)

'The opening track of Connections typifies the whole album in many ways. for a start, the song, Devil May Care', though well enough known, is anything but hackneyed, and provides its own challenges of performance and interepretation. The interpretation it gets here begins with Ken Marley's bass, then Julie Edwards' opening vocal chorus, brightly expressive, over bass and drums. By the time Kevin Dearden cuts into his sax solo, things have built towards a climax, only for a relaxed bass and drums interlude to take us to Julie's freely swinging last chorus. In other words, it's a thoughtful, intelligent performance without unnecessary complications, Julie Edwards' sensitivity to lyric and melody backed by plenty of instrumental opportunities. The singer even takes a rest on 'It Might As Well Be Spring', a delicate reading with Kevin Dearden's soprano sax and Curtis Shaw's guitar prominent, neatly contrasted with the sheer fun of 'O Pato' that follows - a good example of the canny programming of the album. Unlike many singers, Julie Edwards has actually moved more frimly into jazz territory with her second album: a couple of Monk tunes, for intance (a subtly adventurous 'Round Midnight' outstanding), and a no-holds-barred 'Caravan' with added percussion and Kevin Dearden in full snake-charming mode. And ther's always a gently intense 'My One And Only Love' - just voice, guitar and later, tenor sax.'
Jazz Rag

'Singer Julie Edwards and saxophonist Kevin Dearden are fast becoming one of the top attractions on the club circuit. Mostly familiar standards, yet treated with such care and attention that there's a real vitality. Guitarist Curtis Shaw and Kevin Dearden on flute enhance it , and the smoky mystery of 'Round Midnight' balances the exuberant swing of 'Well you Needn't'. Check.'
Jazz UK

'Julie Edwards is an artist who I admire. Not just because of her indomitable apirit and cheerful determination, but also because of her innate understanding of the subtle relationship that exists between tune and lyric and the skilful way she injects vocal improvisation without unsettling that relationship. Kindred spirit, the multi-instrumentalist Kevin Dearden has never sounded better. Contributing to the overall success of this CD is Kevin and Julie's adventurous use of originals and unhackneyed Latino and Song Book material. Listen and enjoy.'
Mike Pinfold, Co-author of 'Singing Jazz - The Singers and Their Styles'

'Eden'

by Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden

 

 

Vocals: Julie Edwards
Saxes/Flute: Kevin Dearden
Keyboard: Nigel Chapman
Bass: Tom Mark
Drums: Chris Sykes

Songs:
Do Nothing 'Till You Hear From Me
My Romance
Love For Sale
You Would Rather Have The Blues
Close Your Eyes
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
Agua De Beber
Eden
Twisted

Produced by Kevin Dearden
Engineered by Gareth Wilson @ The Studio Leeds
Photograph by Gary Rowlands

 


 

 

'These days the world is awash with self-styled 'jazz' singers who are producing their own CDs. Most of which, let's face it, are not only inferior but actually debase the genre. Not so here. Julie Edwards, a new name to me, is a true jazz singer and this CD sparkles like a real gem amongst the dross. Her voice is a delight to listen to, everything in place, sound, intonation, range, control and she swings as well. Her chosen materila, from the standard jazz repertoire, including 'Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me' and 'Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most' is simply arranged and beautifully produced and her rendition of 'My Romance' as a ballad is superb. Ably supported by her quartet, Kevin Dearden (who also produced the CD) on saxophonees/flute, Nigel Champman, piano, Tom Mark, bass and Chris Sykes, drums, even the up-tempo tracks sound relaxed. If you like 'easy listening' jazz vocals a la Julie London then try Julie Edwards. Recommended.'
Lee Gibson, Musician Magazine

'An impressive album from singer Julie Edwards - mostly familiar standards, but each sounding fresh as Julie discovers new twists and nuances in the songs, her voice full of vitality, her delivery constantly engaging. And this is much more than simply a vocalist with some musicians in tow - in fact, it's a well thought-out group performance in which the others contribute greatly to the overall shape of each piece, with saxophonist Kevin Dearden consistently complementing the vocals with some engaging statements, and pianist Nigel Chapman, bassist Tom Mark and drummer Chris Sykes each adding immensely to the collective effort.' JazzUk

'Plenty of good songs, distinctly varied in mood, on 'Eden'. In the last year or so Julie has been picking up excellent notices, especially in the North of England, and this CD shows why. She sings fresh, intellignet, unshowy versions of fine standard ('My Romance', in particular, in a a quietly intense interpretaion over sparse, but sympathetic, accompaniment), but is equally happy taking risks, successfully essaying Annie Ross' 'Twisted'. Probably best of all is amature and poised reading of Fran Landesman's 'Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most'. A word too, for Kevin Dearden in the multiple roles of saxophonist, flautist, arranger, composer and producer!' Jazz Rag

'Already extremely well known in the North of England, her reputation has begun to spread thanks to being heard on Michael Parkinson's BBC Radio 2 show. This CD reveals Edwards to be a very nice singer indeed. She has a good voice, using it to create interesting interpretations of the songs she chooses. More than many of her competitors, Edwards readily communitcates to the listener her obvious enjoyment in singing, providing quite conclusively that you can be completely serious about music and still have a ball. Nice accompaniament from the rhythm section and the horns of Kevin Dearden. I have it on very good authority that hearing Edwards live is every bit as god as hearing her on record,
so keep an eye out for her on the club circuit. Certainly she is a singer to listen and watch out for, and where better to start than with this recommended CD.'
Jazz Journal International

'Jazzviews' said 'This is a wonderful album from a singer who deserves far wider recognightion for her considerable talents'. This jazz website rated 'Eden' number 2 in their top 10 UK albums of 2002. For full review, plus an interview with Julie go to www.jazzviews.co.uk.