Flautist ANDREA BRACHFELD has been best known for her Latin jazz playing. Lady of the Island (Zoho – 201210) is her first recording as leader for a straight ahead jazz session, and from the evidence here, it will likely not be her last. She plays a C flute on most of the tracks, but turns to the deeper pitched alto flute for “I Got it Bad,” a terrific duo with pianist Bill O’Connell, and “Lady of the Island.” There is a shifting cast of players on the nine tracks that includes Bob Quaranta or Bill O’Connell on piano, Andy Eulau on bass, Kim Plainfield on drums, Todd Bashore on alto sax, Chembo Corniel on congas and percussion, Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Wallace Roney on trumpet, and Yasek Manzano on trumpet and flugelhorn. I will admit that I am not a big flute fan, but Brachfeld has a lovely tone, and a creative feel for improvisation that won me over for this recording. The shifting moods of this album make it fun to hear, and always fresh. (www.zohomusic.com)
– Joseph Lang, January 2013, Jersey Jazz Issue, NewJerseyJazzSociety.Com