In her second album, Kama Ruby once again applies her unmistakable take on standard Jazz tunes, as well as adding an unexpected jazzy, chilled flavor to some New Wave and Classic Rock hits from the 80s. Showing her mastery of the standard jazz repertoire with the opening versions of Embraceable You and God Bless the Child, she lulls the listener into expecting an album of soothing, lounge-like melodies, only to be awakened with an energetic, Bossa Nova-esque take on The Eagle’s Hotel California. Highlighted by the soaring sax solos of Ray Zepeda, Ruby’s version serves to prepare the listener for her vision of how Jazz can influence compositions that few people ever associate with the form. She continues with her version of Nature Boy, supported by Mark Meyer’s tasty work on clarinet, an instrument rarely heard and appreciated by the masses anymore. Next up, a unique take of two tunes associated with Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac – Rhiannon and Sister of the Moon. Noting the similarities in chord progressions of each, Ruby combines the lyrics of both into a seamless rendition that begs the question, “Why hasn’t someone done this before?” Returning to jazz, her version of Something Cool featuring Jeff Rizzo on piano is so controlled and powerful, one wonders why this composition is so rarely performed. Invoking visions of a smoky, darkened jazz lounge, this bittersweet song is sure to touch anyone who has ever spent a lonely evening wondering how life has led them to where they are now. Finally, with perhaps one of the greatest torch songs to come out of the New Wave era, Ruby puts her final stamp on The Motel’s Total Control. Accompanied only by Steve Merrick on piano, this bittersweet love song is probably one of the more underappreciated works to come out of that decade, and Ms. Ruby makes it her own.