Andy James - Let Me See Your Heart (CD)

The title of Andy James’ latest album, Let Me See Your Heart, suggests a request—but from the first note, it becomes clear that the acclaimed vocalist has already offered her own. On her most vulnerable and intimate recording to date, James opens herself fully, revealing her heart and soul with every lyric.

Let Me See Your Heart unites an all-star ensemble of modern jazz masters. Arranged by Jon Cowherd and Bill Cunliffe, the album features an extraordinary roster including Alex Acuña, John Patitucci, James Genus, Eric Wheeler, John Beasley, Ronnie Foster, Terell Stafford, Joel Frahm, John Ellis, Bob Sheppard, Michael Dease, Chico Pinheiro, Steve Cardenas, Larry Koonse, Paul Jackson Jr., Nate Smith, Clarence Penn, Rudy Royston, and Johnathan Blake.

Together, these musicians form not only a world-class ensemble but also the close-knit creative family at the heart of Le Coq Records. “The musicians we’ve assembled over the years have really become a family,” James says. “They understand what I want when I compose, to the point that it’s instinctual.”

The album balances introspection with uplift. James delivers a funky, Steely Dan–tinged take on Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”, a swinging “All or Nothing at All”, and Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”, while also embracing tender ballads like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Bali Hai” and Michel Legrand’s “I Was Born in Love with You.” Sarah Vaughan’s beloved “Photograph” is reimagined with lush, dreamlike textures, and James closes the set with a poignant reading of Legrand’s “I Will Say Goodbye.”

Interwoven with these classics are three original songs, each highlighting James’ gifts as a songwriter. The title track, written with Pata, Cunliffe, and Santiago Interinao, is enriched by Ronnie Foster’s soulful B3; “Let’s Try” pairs James’ searching vocals with John Ellis’ bass clarinet; and “Let’s Talk of Love” brings breezy optimism and vintage swing.

“Let Me See Your Heart was a thought I carried often in these troubled times,” James explains. “I wanted to share my feelings honestly, to remind listeners that love can be lost and found again, and that music can be a vessel of hope.”

With her smoky, enrapturing voice and fearless vulnerability, Andy James delivers an album that is both balm and revelation. Let Me See Your Heart is not only a collection of songs—it is a testament to music’s power to heal, connect, and lay bare the most essential truths of the human spirit.