Forbidden Drive is the debut music album from vocal powerhouse Jen Fellman. Featuring songs from the worlds of jazz, standards, Broadway and French chanson, this is the perfect canvas for Fellman to showcase her vocal range...

The tracks on Forbidden Drive have been chosen to musically embody Jen Fellman's journey as both an artist and as a gay woman exploring her life between New York and Paris. While the diversity on offer is fairly impressive, it's surprising how well they all sit together.

The cover of 'Stardust' (music by Hoagy Carmichael in 1927, with lyrics added by Mitchell Parish in 1929) is probably this album's highlight for me. Most people will probably be familiar with the Nat King Cole version (released in 1957 on his album Love Is the Thing). Here Fellman really stays true to the original, while also bringing it a little more up to date for a modern audience.

'Les Parapluies de Cherbourg' ('The Umbrellas of Cherbourg') contains songs from the 1964 French movie of the same name. Most notably it includes the memorable 'Je Ne Pourrais Jamais Vivre Sans Toi' ('I Will Wait For You') which has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

This is the perfect album to introduce Fellman to the world. The songs on offer show of her range, showcasing how diverse she can be.

Track listing:

01 - They Didn’t Believe Me
02 - Golden Earrings
03 - Can’t Help Lovin’ dat Man
04 - Stardust
05 - Love Look Away
06 - I Get Along Without You Very Well
07 - Happiness
08 - I Won’t Send Roses
09 - Les Parapluies De Cherbourg
10 - Mon Amant De Saint Jean
11 - New York Treasure
12 - Wherever He Ain’t
13 - That’s How I Say Goodbye

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Nick Smithson