Monday Recommendation: Karrin Allyson

Karrin Allyson, Some Of That Sunshine (kasrecords)

Ms. Allyson’s songwriting ability surfaced early in her career. In Some Of That Sunshine, it is on full display; she wrote all 13 songs in the album. With her superb rhythm section, two star guest artists—and on one R&B-ish track a spirited vocal group—it sounds as if she had the time of her life recording them. The songs range from the sentimental (“Home,” “You Don’t Care”) to wry humor that references the me-too movement (“Big Discount”). Violinist Regina Carter sits in on three songs, pluckily matching Allyson’s inventive scatting on the title track. Tenor saxophonist Houston Person is at a peak of his bluesy expressiveness on “Nobody Said Love Was Easy,” “Right Here Right Now” and “Just As Well.” Throughout, seasoned Allyson colleagues bassist Jeff Johnson, guitarist Rod Fleeman, pianist Miro Sprague and drummer Jerome Jennings are solid in support.