Cassandra Wilson, Loverly (Blue Note). After Blue Skies, Wilson seemed to walk away from
the standard repertoire. Twenty years later, we get her second collection of standard songs. It was worth the wait. Her relaxation, phrasing and idiosyncratic interpretations make this one of the vocal CDs of the year. Highlights: irony and boogaloo energy in “St. James Infirmary,” “The Very Thought of You” in duet with bassist Reginald Veal, the gentle swing and longing in “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly?” Pianist Jason Moran does some of his most accessible playing here. Minor non-musical matter: fire the art director who prints essential information in tiny black type on a dark blue background.