A crisp CD laced with vocal dexterity, You Are There pairs Hilary Kole’s vocals with some of the best in the jazz piano world. Indeed, this duets album is a strong release from one of Justin Time’s finest talents, but there’s still something missing. First, it lacks in variety: This is a ballad-driven album, and a few uptempo pieces would go a long way to vary the mood (and better showcase Kole’s talents). Secondly, Kole’s vocals veer towards the bright-and-brassy end. While the recordings are precise and the arrangements masterful, You Are There lacks the warmth critical to the success of “Lush Life” or “These Foolish Things.” Kole briefly captures it in the album’s eponymous track — sung with Freddy Cole — but despite her pairings with Dave Brubeck, Cedar Walton and Michael Legrand, this album still comes up lacking.
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