DNA - Continuum

(Dash Hoffman Records Records, 2024)

L Aviva Diamond

Vocalist Mon David (pronounced moan da-VID) is a treasure hiding in plain sight. In 2020, David released DNA (Hoffman Records) with pianist Josh Nelson. That recording revealed David as a fearless interpreter, his comfortable baritone voice echoing that of the great Johnny Hartman. DNA is David’s effort to strip down his sound to the bare minimum, leaving his voice and approach as exposed as possible.

Without a shred of anxiety, David, supported again by Nelson with the addition of guitarist Larry Koonse (David’s guitar prowess is nothing to sneer at), makes Oscar Brown, Jr.’s treatment of “As Long As Your Living” his own, scatting his way through the entire performance, most effectively behind the instrumental solos, providing an imagined percussion section. Taking a hard left, David takes on Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In Ihe Wind.” Nelson plays a muted electric piano against Koonse’s acoustic guitar. David turns this ‘60’s warhorse into a gentle ballad of quiet restraint and a desperate call for anything other than now.

The singer turns the teacher on “A Time For Love/Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,” half spoken, half sung. David’s soothing low register is calm and reassuring. In the same vein as the as the album opener is Miles Davis’ “Four” as lyrically realized by Jon Hendricks. David and company turn up the tempo and heat without losing their minds. Pure class and panache. Sweet and understated is Bill Evans’ “The Two Lonely People.” David carefully caresses the lyrics by Carol Hall, infusing them with a dense sadness tempered with hopeful longing. Nelson’s playing is effective, support David softly.

Mon David is an event, a monument that comes alone once in a generation. This is a talent to be embraced and cherished.