Various: Women: The Best Jazz Vocals

By GRAHAM REID

Twenty-nine-track double disc which, despite drawing from only Universal's roster of labels, covers a lot of territory, although it errs toward unobtrusive dinner-party listening.

That said, it may serve to introduce silky Silje Nergaard and the excellent Ruth Cameron to people who have otherwise not gone much further than Diana Krall and Diane Schuur (also here).

Includes Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Shirley Horn alongside Sarah, Ella, Billie, Anita O'Day and Blossom Dearie.

Lack of liner notes seems a missed opportunity on something which feels as much a sampler as a coherent collection in its own right. Canapes anyone?

(Universal)