“The imagery of new birth eloquently catches the ambiguous emotions of embracing future life. Her account of Irving Berlin’s ‘What’ll I Do’ is subtle and doesn’t sound like a copy of anybody else, and the band is often superb.”

“An all-star record date featuring Tony Coe and pianists Benny Green, Steve Lodder and Mervyn Africa, and a collection of songs about childbirth and motherhood - these are just two of the several elements that make vocalist Gina Harkell’s New Born Blue such an extraordinary production. Setting out to ‘cover an area hitherto neglected by the jazz tradition’, she combines seven inspired original compositions with three standards, setting to music some emotive poetry by Alison Fell, Cheryl Moskovits, Grace Nichols and E.E Cummings. Harkell sings very effectively in a subtle folk-influenced style that is closer to Joni Mitchell’s than Elle Fitzgerald’s. You needn’t be a mother to understand why this is a record that deserves to be heard.”

“Unusual subject matter combined with witty and feelingful lyrics make an interesting and worthy debut album.”

“Concept albums are rare in jazz and for a relatively unknown singer to choose to record one shows courage; that the concept should be on the subject of motherhood flies bravely in the face of the jazz fan’s prejudices. The first side is really rather good, showing that Harkell is a talented composer and, in the case of Lullaby and Emily, a good lyricist. Both on this side and on the reverse the artist as singer shows that she has a very pleasant, delicately poised and limpid voice which admirably suits the material. The accompaniment is excellent throughout... and the whole thing comes off very well indeed.”

“New Born Blue is without doubt an impressive achievement - a self produced all-star debut album combining flawless original compositions with haunting lyrics and contemporary poetry. Concentrating on themes related to motherhood, vocalist Harkell harnesses the jazz tradition’s intense expressive vitality to illuminate an area previously neglected in this male dominated music... Harkell herself sings like a musician, avoiding the sassy drawl of cleavage-and- microphone school of jazz vocalising, employing instead a pure and subtle, folk influenced delivery... Music this good doesn’t get made every day.”