Simone Nina: Little Girl Blue LTD

LP Record Released in 1957, Little Girl Blue was Nina Simone's debut recording, originally issued by Bethlehem. Accompanied by bassist Jimmy Bond and Albert "Tootie" Heath, Simone showcases her mysterious and sensually melodic voice, a vibrant and confident jazz style, and a mysterious yet down-to-earth sensibility that remains tasteful. The album also introduces a superb jazz pianist. Simone was a skilled improviser, but she never strayed far from the blues. The opening track is a fine example of this, her finger-snapping, swinging interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," where her phrasing remains deeply rooted in the blues.