Julie London - Feeling Good with the Gerald Wilson Big Band

Japanese mini-LP packaging

Feeling Good pairs Julie London with arranger Gerald Wilson, who jettisons the spare ambience of her previous records in favor of a dynamic, big-band-inspired approach that casts the singer in an entirely different light. Make no mistake -- London's purring vocals are as sultry as ever, but they also boast a new playfulness that's undeniably appealing. Much of the material originates from the mid-'60s hit parade, including buoyant renditions of "King of the Road" and "Watermelon Man," but the highlights capture the full scope of London's rapturous femininity. "Girl Talk" warmly satirizes the ever-growing vogue for gossip, while "I Bruise Easily" is a sharply etched portrait of the mating dance.

Jason Akeny