Into the Light builds on the solid foundation of Julie Kelly's two previous albums for Chase Music Group and is a strong testament to her artistry. She engages in what would be called risk taking for a less experienced and knowledgeable singer, but it's water sliding off a duck's back for Kelly. The selections she chose for this album also reflect her experience and on all of them she uses her musicians wisely. The play is filled with a diverse set of tunes from a diverse group of composers. Old favorites are represented by such tunes as "The Folks Who Live on the Hill" -- aided and abetted with an arrangement built around Jody Burnet's richly hued cello -- "I've Got the World on a String" where Tom Warrington's bass is prominent. But there are also tunes from contemporary song writing teams like Alan Broadbent/Dave Frishberg and Sunny Wilkinson/Brian Lynch. One of the really entertaining tracks on the set is Sonny Stitt's "Sonny's Bounce" where Kelly has added lyrics. Jeff Clayton kicks in with a forceful and vigorous sax engaging in give and take with guitarist Larry Koonse. This song is also the vehicle for a rare Kelly foray into scat as she joyously scampers along the melody line with Koonse and Clayton. Everyone's clearly having a lot of fun with this one. The old saw that good lyrics sound like poetry put to music is given meaning with Kelly's interpretation of "His Eyes, Her Eyes" written for the movie, {#Thomas Crown Affair}. Those backing Kelly provide stellar support. But Bill Cunliffe's accommodating but not passive piano, is a key to the quality of this session. Cunliffe is moving into that upper tier of accompanists reserved for only the very best like Hank Jones, Jimmy Rowles, Tommy Flanagan, and Ellis Larkins. Throughout "Hooray for Love" he quotes Francis Craig's piano chords from the huge 1947 number one pop hit, "Near You." This CD contains a relaxed 55 minutes of musicianship of the highest order and is accordingly highly recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide