Adele Bertei

Sparting a résumé that includes stints with the Contortions, Thomas Dolby and Jellybean Benitez, New York singer Adele Bertei made a surprisingly accessible and enjoyable solo debut with Little Lives. Collaborating on both the fine songs and imaginatively diverse production with keyboardist Ian Prince (and others), Bertei dishes out a warm platter of engagingly substantial dance music, adult rock and jazzy soul-pop. Several numbers gain rich, theatrical character from a backing chorus providing answers to her strong lead vocals. Following Laura Nyro into the ’80s, Little Lives establishes Bertei as an intelligent and independent voice.