Mindi Abair’s second solo offering, Come As You Are, very much picks up where It Just Happens That Way left off. This follow-up CD to Mindi’s hit debut album continues her fresh approach to music that made people sit up and take notice the first time. Mindi combines her hip rock and pop sensibilities with some very impressive straight ahead jazz making this CD not only appealing to her adult audience, but quite palatable to a younger crowd as well.

Come As You Are contains eleven tracks and a bonus track of all original material co-written by Abair. There are three great acoustic guitar driven tracks: “Come As You Are,” “Every Time” and “Make a Wish.” “Head Over Heels” is an outstanding piece of rock. “Every Time,” “I Can Remember” and “You’ll Never Know” highlight Mindi’s vocal talents. “Shine,” “Sticks and Stones” and “High Five” are fun and funky tracks. And how about a little straight-ahead jazz with “New Shoes”? Closing the album is the beautiful ballad “Cyan” featuring Mindi on soprano sax and producer, co-writer and guitarist Matthew Hager on electric guitar.

But it isn’t over ‘til it’s over.  And you really don’t want to miss the sweltering straight-ahead bonus track “26 Hemenway” - a wonderful collaboration by Abair and Russell Ferrante.

Come As You Are is a CD that makes you feel good about the future of instrumental music.

Elizabeth Ware