Smoky and alluring, singer-songwriter-pianist Marty Williams plays vintage jazz and classic pop tunes with a reflective glint in his vocals and a laid-back stride in his piano arrangements. His new CD,

Long Time Comin' pays homage to some of the great songwriters of the 20th century creating a crossover breed where jazz and pop converges into a harmonious mix. His remake of standards by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Burt Bacharach and Hal David exhibit a modern edge to them though they are steep in yesteryear.

Williams' vocal extension of the word "brother" in Oscar Brown Jr.'s track by that name leaves a lasting impression on the listener's mind. Williams moves through the lyrics in a fashion that allows him to hang each word on a mantle as if they were precious keepsakes. Other numbers boost the rhythmic tempo like in Duke Ellington's "Caravan" and the funky gait of Eugene McDaniels tune "Compared To What". Williams does a sweet bluesy rendition of Paul McCartney and John Lennon's song "Come Together" bringing out the melody's penchant to dig into the listener's emotions. Williams puts a showtunes veneer on "Falling in Love" penned by Friedrich Hollander, while the energetic pitter-patter of "Mercy Mercy Mercy" resonates a dancehall vibe.

Williams' remake of "Monk's Dream" from Thelonious Monk and John Hendricks accentuates the slinky piano motifs, and the shuffling beats of "On a Clear Day" by Alan J. Lerner and Burton Lane induce a merry mood in the album contrasting the mellow atmospherics of "Sunny" written by Bobby Hebb. The perky groove of "Sweet and Lovely" from Gus Arnheim hoists Williams' vocals on a pedestal as the music exudes pleasing sensations, and then shifts into the silky textures of "The Look of Love" by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Marty Williams rekindles some of jazz and pop music's most prized possessions and personalizes them to his likeness. Long Time Comin’ is an album that reminisces about the past and brings its relevance into the Present.