AMG Review of Bird Mancini

Charles Spano
All Music Guide

Bird Mancini's jazzy blues tunes on the band's self-titled debut are likely to please a wide array of listeners. Ruby Bird can really belt it out, and her sultry vocals are the type that could break into the popular adult contemporary genre. "Magic Flirtation" echoes the sentiment of "I Put a Spell on You" with slicker production that's more accessible for a mainstream audience. "Looking for a Song" calls to mind Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt swinging in Paris (but less brilliantly timeless) and adds a down-home American feel. "Running to You" merges rock and a Santana groove with the band's blues, "Renoville" is a swampy jam with a harmonica, and "Jet Setting in Morocco" plays with a Brazilian rhythm."Champagne and Crossroads" brings in the worldbeat and a late-'70s cocaine California excess vibe. "Champagne and crossroads, baby" -- Steely Dan fans ought to love it.