Dreamland

Like her 2004 hit Careless Love, Madeleine Peyroux's first album covers much ground in terms of material. In addition, producer Yves Beauvais lends the singer a wider array of settings, calling on Atlantic Records labelmates like saxophonist James Carter and guitarist Marc Ribot to collaborate. Peyroux's jazz-folk stance is an intriguing one; she offers three strong originals here, including the sly blues "Hey Sweet Man" and "Always a Use," which recalls the Bob Dylan she'd later cover. Peyroux indeed recalls Billie Holiday on occasion, but Dreamland also puts her own charms front and center. This relaxed music on this debut is a perfect introduction to a wonderful voice and a smart mind. That Peyroux would achieve commercial and critical with its belated follow-up isn't surprising at all.