by David R. AdlerLyambiko, a jazz vocalist of German-African descent, highlights her affection for standards on this engaging Nagel-Heyer disc. She is backed by a capable, swinging trio, with Marque Lowenthal on piano, Robin Draganic on bass, and Torsten Zwingenberger on drums and percussion. Her voice is deep, mellow-toned, and often playful, bringing freshness (and slightly accented English) to songs like If I Were a Bell, Mean to Me, and a pair of Ellington classics, Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me and I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues. On the modern material she takes more risks -- starting Nat Adderley's Work Song a cappella, for instance, then holding a powerful long note toward the end, taking the listener by surprise. Other highlights include a bass\u002Fvocal duo on Gone With the Wind, a Portuguese rendition of Chega de Saudade, a brief but effective take of Miss Celie's Blues (from the soundtrack of The Color Purple), and an African-tinged instrumental piece by Lowenthal called Parakeet Prowl.