Personnel: Nnenna Freelon (vocals); Rickey Woodard (soprano & tenor saxophones); Bill Anschell (piano); Scott Sawyer (guitar); John Brown (bass); Woody Williams (drums); Alex Acuna (congas).Recorded at O'Henry Studios, Burbank, California on February 26-27, 1996. Includes liner notes by Nnenna Freelon.SHAKING FREE was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

CD. For this excellent effort, Nnenna Freelon solidifies her position as one of the better female jazz singers of the 1990s. Her appealing voice and versatility are well displayed throughout a set that includes a 5/4 version of "Out of This World," the folk song "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair," "Birk's Works," "I Thought About You," "Nature Boy," and three originals. Freelon is ably assisted by her regular rhythm section of the period (pianist Bill Anschell, bassist John Brown, and drummer Woody Williams), and there are worthwhile guest spots for guitarist Scott Sawyer, Rickey Woodard on tenor and soprano, and Alex Acuna on congas. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi