Evelyn Rubio - Perfect

Evelyn Rubio

Perfect
self-released; 2024

​3.9 out of 5

​​By ​Dino DiMuro​

Evelyn Rubio of Houston, Texas is a Billboard chart-topping artist with a new album titled Perfect. Born in Mexico City, Rubio’s multiple talents led her from the barrio to audiences across America and Europe as an accomplished vocalist, saxophone player and songwriter. She’s also an actress and portrayed Mary Magdalene in the Canadian production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Having specialized in the blues, 2023 saw Rubio beginning a foray into smooth jazz, with her latest single sizzling on the all the subscription radio stations along with the Smooth Jazz Global Network. Her new album explores multiple genres, with two songs sung in Spanish. Recording took place at Wire Road Studios in Houston with help from a large group of seasoned session players. Mastering was by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering in Austin. Sound quality is absolutely top notch.

“Because I Want To” starts us off with a smoky, jazzy romp featuring standup bass, tight percussion with claps, call-and-response piano and Rubio’s lovely pipes. Though I dig voices that betray a few hard miles and cartons of cigarettes, Rubio sings with crystal clarity and engaging sexiness. And that’s not even mentioning her sax playing, which is stellar in its few short solo moments. “Touch” is a cover of the John Klemmer hit, featuring a classically-influenced piano opening, classical guitar and most of the melodic lines played by Rubio’s sax. “I Wait for You” has a clear Latin beat and influence with Rubio trading off vocals and saxophone. A fine slice of Jazz-pop. 

“Good Guy” slows things down for a smoldering torch song, with prominent piano and a string section backing up Rubio’s empathetic vocal. But don’t get complacent as “Blues for Katia” ups the dance ante considerably with a jaunty, jumpin’ blues workout. Piano, sax, guitar and drums all get solos. “Loving You” is a cover of the Minnie Ripperton hit, with sax standing in for the vocals (even the La-La-La-La-La’s and the high notes!). The title track “Perfect” brings Rubio very close to the mic along with gorgeous backing vocals for an intimate, highly emotional love song. The solo sounds to me like a MIDI sax, or at least it’s very muted.

The writing of “Morena” is credited to Rubio and is the first of two songs performed in Spanish, which couldn’t help but remind me of the old Astaire and Rogers movie song “The Carioca.” It has the same uptempo energy and sense of fun as the previous “Touch.” Instead of piano we get a healthy dose of electric piano. “Porque You Quiero” ends the album with the same song and arrangement as the opening track, but this time with Spanish vocals. 

So, the album is titled “Perfect” but is it? Damned close! Go find it and decide for yourself!

Evelyn Rubio · Perfect

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