Album Review: 'A New Standard' (2012)

Tyrell's voice crackles as if it's tasted too much whiskey in too many smoky saloons. Listen to him for the first time, and you're likely to wonder, Who is this guy? Well, he's a longtime songwriter-producer who's never before lent his own pipes to an album -- and this one just spent more than a year on Billboard's jazz chart. Still, it's news to us. On Standard, Tyrell swings elegantly, offering a fresh take on 17 classic gems, including ''Cheek to Cheek'' and ''Don't Get Around Much Anymore.'' Check it out, preferably with a beverage of your choice, and start spreadin' the news. A-