Album: Karita Mattila

Fever – Kirmo Lintinen/The Fever Band, ONDINE

Oh Sarah! Oh Billie! Oh sainted Shirley Horn! If you sense any turbulence in the heavens today, it's the late great jazz divas weeping with mirth. Hot on the heels of Thomas Quasthoff's bizarre Mel Tormé tribute, 'Watch What Happens', comes Karita Mattila's 'Fever': a high-camp piñata of show-tunes, standards and, dear me, bossa nova. Stripped of operatic spin, there's a hint of Cleo Laine in the Finnish soprano's high notes, and more than a touch of Manhattan Transfer in Kirmo Lintinen's hyperactive arrangements. Excepting the comedy-value of "O Pato", this is one to avoid. AP