New York-based vocalist Naam has quietly been building a discography since the release of her first recording, Dearly Beloved (Cellar Music, 2020). She followed this with Where Flamingos Fly (La Reserve Records, 2023) and If I Knew Then (Sassy’s Back In Town, 2022). The singer continues her spirited survey of the Great American Songbook with the love-themed release, Wild Is Love. Naama favors small forces when interpreting this well-trodden terrain. Pianist Glen Zaleski, guitarist Peper Bernstein, bassist Dave Baron, and drummer Charles Gould provide the singer with a sound foundation of an effortless swing across the shifting emotions of love.
Wild Is Love is Naama’s most focused effort to date. She surveys the good, bad, and ugly of love. The singer adopts the appropriate voice to address new love, mature love, and the end of love. Naama is confident in love on “If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)" intoxicated with her inamorato. Zaleski sets up a bluesy environment in which the singer can speak honestly. The same surroundings accompany the reality of the helplessness of Naama’s plight in “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good).” The singer summons all corners of her alto range. Peter Bernstein gives Naama much room on “I’m Glad There Is You.” This is a mature love of appreciation. Wild Is Love is an impressive addition to her already impressive discography.