First CD by Swedish male sextet, Vocal Six, released in 1992. Though broadly classified as contemporary, in actuality their sound, and selection of material, leans heavily towards jazz. Compact close harmony, brilliant swipes and scat breaks characterize their style, as exemplified by "Music, Music, Music," "My Baby Just Cares For Me" and a deliciously understated arrangement of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." A poignant, piano-accompanied "My Funny Valentine," wrings out every teardrop, as does the haunting Sting cover, "Sister Moon." Vocal Six plays the dance card with the "Bad/Thriller" medley and the group's own "Barberhouse Acid Rap," where they loosen their collars and grunt, James Brown style.

Songlist: Wake Up!, Lady Madonna, Tango, Bad/ Thriller, Sister Moon, Barberhouse Acid Rap, Music, Music, Music, My Baby Just Cares for Me, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, My Funny Valentine, Baby, Hooked on a Feeling, John Blund

Vocal Six : Why Dance   

This 1994 recording shows the Swedish sextet developing their own writing skills, and singing in Swedish on five tracks. Their sound is a forceful melding of both jazz and contemporary, with neither idiom gaining the upper hand. "Sensuella Isabella" features an explosive vocal guitar, while actual guitar guests, along with harmonica, on the ambling, roadhouse "Tomma Ramar Blues." "Bohemian Rhapsody," augmented by the "Bohemian Choir," duplicates the original vocal arrangement closely, and maintains the song's energy capably throughout, with plump, thickly-textured chordal backing. Close, vertical harmonies dominate "The Way You Look Tonight' and "Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring," allowing the tonalities to blossom with rich color.

Songlist: Why Dance, The Way You Look Tonight, Alf Beror Pa Mej, Walk Between The Raindrops, Tomma Ramar Blues, Sensuella Isabella, Ta Mef Til Havet, Tvalen (En Blyg Mans Bekannelser), For Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring, Bohemian Rhapsody