If you have the likes of Van Morrison singing your praises, then chances are you aren’t an ordinary vocalist. After listening to jazz and soul singer Polly Gibbons’ Many Faces Of Love, I can assure readers that this artist is quite extraordinary indeed.

In a world of Auto-Tune, Polly Gibbons is the real deal. Her soulful vocals, innate blues sensibility and strong interpretive skills captivate listeners’ hearts. Add the fact that she’s only in her 30s, yet sounds as if she’s a seasoned pro with several decades’ worth of experience under her belt, and your mind is simply blown.

On this album, she fearlessly takes on 12 blues-drenched covers with some of the most talented musicians in contemporary jazz backing her, resulting in a stunning showcase of her insane range. As the CD title suggests, the songs explore the various facets of love which have been grouped into five sections: Looking For Love, Finding Love, Losing Love, Looking To Re-Connect and The Lessons of Love. Every number is a story brought to life by Gibbons’ intensity and raw emotion.

While each track is a standout in its own right, my personal favorites include the opening number, Percy Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone To Love,” a feisty old-school sound where Gibbons’ husky timbre completely enthralls, and “City Lights,” an upbeat blues tune full of defiance and sass. And there’s no doubt that she can take command of intimidating jazz ballads such as “Not Like This,” “After Hours” and “Since I Fell For You.” Throughout the record she channels the very legends whom she cites as inspiration – Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Mahalia Jackson, Joni Mitchell and Donny Hathaway, to name a few.

A lesser vocalist would lose their way, but Gibbons’ lyrical instincts make her wise beyond her years. She chooses her moments carefully, knowing when to unleash the power of her voice and when to restrain her passion. When it comes down to it, she has a very rare gift that simply cannot be taught.

Mesmerizing, remarkable and with a touch of swagger of course, Gibbons’ artistry demands attention. But if she continues putting out material like Many Faces Of Love, she won’t have to worry about how she’ll attract it.

For more information on Many Faces Of Love, please visit her website or follow her on Facebook.