Close Your Eyes

Released in 1997, Close Your Eyes marks the debut of Stacey Kent and remains a defining moment in the late-90s vocal jazz revival. Produced by Alan Bates for Candid Records, the album immediately distinguished Kent from her contemporaries through her unique vocal timbre - a light, girlish, yet technically precise delivery that prioritized lyrical clarity and emotional nuance over vocal gymnastics. The record features her long-time collaborator and husband, Jim Tomlinson, whose tenor saxophone work provides a melodic counterpoint heavily influenced by the 'cool' school of jazz. The album's success was significant, becoming the best-selling British jazz album of its release year and establishing Kent as a major force in the genre. Sonically, it eschews the polished sheen of contemporary pop-jazz for a more traditional, acoustic approach that highlights the chemistry of her quartet. It serves as the foundational blueprint for her career-long exploration of the Great American Songbook.