The marketing team over at Legacy could have probably come up with a more accurate title for this compilation of ‘70s Esther Phillips recordings. Indeed, the music contained on the disc is “hot,” possessing all the traits of riveting R&B orchestration: understated, essential bass lines, jaunty horn hits and shamelessly dramatic strings. However, “hot” doesn’t come close to explaining why these songs are so gripping.
Phillips, a former child star, ended the ‘60s at a dangerously low point of her rollercoaster career, crippled by a very public heroin addiction. Incredibly, the singer rose from the ashes in subsequent years, signing with Creed Taylor’s Kudu label and enjoying some of her greatest creative and commercial success. Jazz Moods: Hot takes 11 tracks from three of her Kudu albums. It’s a fascinating tableau of pain and abuse, packaged for the dance floor with care and precision. When Phillips takes on songs like “Home Is Where The Hatred Is” or “Use Me,” the emotional insinuations are stunning. It’s the sound of a brilliant woman running her fingers over her scars, and when fused with the fun-lovin’ sounds of the 1970s, the irony is achingly beautiful.
Just as Billie Holiday documented her deterioration so gorgeously on Lady In Satin, Esther Phillips turned her personal turmoil into these transcendent recordings. This collection is “hot,” because this artist wasn’t afraid to share her burns with the world.
Appeared in the June 2, 2005, issue of Artvoice.