You’ll be hard pressed to find a talent as cool and unique as one miss KJ Denhert. We’re rather reluctant to label this artist, however. Even she is challenged when describing her music. You see a chick with a guitar and the word “folk” gets bandied about immediately. Not that there’s anything wrong with folk. But that would be limiting to this diverse songstress and singer. This vocalist offers up robust, soulful, pop jazz that truly provides an enrapturing listening experience. Warm, rich and vibrant are words that I’d feel comfortable using rather than forcing a fit into a specific music genre. LUCKY 7 is a brand new collection of songs by the New Yorker out on Motema. It’s brimming with thought-provoking lyrics and cool blues grooves that will appeal to music fans who gravitate towards jazzy pop icons like Joni Mitchell, Sting, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones and Joan Armatrading. Songs that really pull me in on LUCKY 7 include the sassy title track, the stunning cover of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” with its simple, classy arrangement, the delightfully delicious trilogy of “What’s My Name” with a stripped down intro segued into a jazzy Brazilian middle track that blends into a funky, jazz conclusion... wow! I'm also really taken by the touching love song "Beautiful," and the provoking ditty "Little Problems" where KJ sings "No one's gonna save me just ‘cause I'm behavin’.” As the title track declares, “She is on the money tonight”! Go girl! ~SANDY SHORE

http://smoothjazz.com/loft/#kjdenhert