Smooth. Emotionally direct. Musically sophisticated. Mark Robinson's debut recording infuses the Great American Songbook with a sense of discovery and freshness. There’s no moribund reverence in the singing here. Just heartfelt renderings of 14 tunes, some familiar ("Embraceable You," "I've Got the World on a String") and some rescued from relative obscurity ("I Keep Going Back to Joe's," "Close Your Eyes"). This is music that's great for hanging out but that also rewards close listening. If you like Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, or Chet Baker, you should check out Mark Robinson.