Liz Cole, who always exudes happiness in her voice, has recorded her long overdue debut album, I Want To Be Happy, which is due out on January 28th, 2025.

She picked out ten of her favorite songs which range from swing, a Eubie Blake ballad and a song from the Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra film High Society to a Brazilian number and a rarely performed Erroll Garner tune.

For this highly enjoyable project, the singer is joined on various selections by guitarist Larry Koonse, the great Otmaro Ruiz or Jacob Mann on piano, Darek Oles, Edwin Livingston or Jonathan Richards on bass, drummer Aaron Serfaty, and guest vibraphonist Jackson Irvine.

1. I Want To Be Happy
2. Mean To Me
3. You’re Sensational
4. I’d Give A Dollar For A Dime
5. Love
6. Tú
7. Lobo Bobo
8. Things To Do (Passing Through)
9. Lazy River
10. I’m Still Here

This lushly seductive set opens on the chipper title track I Want To Be Happy and the languishing Mean To Me and they are followed by the flourishing You’re Sensational, the low slung foot tapper I’d Give A Dollar For A Dime and then the sheer elegance within Love is delivered.

Along next is the all-embracing Tú, which is itself backed by the gently fervent rhythms that drive Lobo Bobo, the joyfully euphoric Things To Do (Passing Through), the recording rounding out on the softly mesmerizing Lazy River, closing on the comforting ballad I’m Still Here.