Candy Dulfer: Candy Store

It’s been ages since Candy Dulfer and Dave Stewart teamed up for the gorgeous instrumental “Lilly Was Here” but Dulfer has done very well for herself, thank you very much. And this album might be one of her best yet. Although her work with Van Morrison and Pink Floyd is well-known, Dulfer’s own music is top-notch, Grade-A Jazz. Despite opening the album as if she’s Jay-Z with a big intro, Dulfer gets down to blowing good on the funky “Candy”, which is oh so sweet. The same can be instantly said of the gorgeous and crisp “Music = Love” with its reggae overtones. Meanwhile, Dulfer slows things down with the relaxing but groovy “L.A. City Lights” that has enough oomph to avoid the tag of smooth jazz. Fun seems to be the intent of this album as Dulfer lets her locks down during the tight, R&B flavored “Summertime”. Perhaps the highlight (among several) is the fine, light and breezy “Smokin’ Gun” and the only flaw being the slow-building “If I Ruled the World”, which sounds a bit forced.