Freda Payne is best known for her 1970 pop hit “Band of Gold,” but her early days included work with Quincy Jones, and her debut album was a jazz effort for Impulse! in 1964. Deeply influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Payne went on to do disco and R&B, but here she circles around to the music of her early days, leading a big band through a set of standards and new tunes. “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” comes to the plate swinging for the fences, with Payne wasting no time getting to a break and scatting like her hero. This could be a real eye-opener for those who like their divas to be well-seasoned and sassy. (Band and string arrangements throughout by Bill Cunliffe.)

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