A singer who figured early on in the story so far of Ezra Collective eight years ago, sported acclaimed Dem Ones duo Binker and Moses in her own band back in the day having first impressed as a featured singer with Jazz Jamaica later scooping a best jazz act MOBO to boot, we reckon this Sarah Vaughan tribute from the fortysomething Londoner out later this week matches Zara's best work to date, 2013's If You Knew Her.

Marking the centenary of the birth of the Divine One in Newark Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan is mature and considered and shows the incredible vocal technique at the singer's disposal in its best light also displayed to a massive TV audience singing the national anthem at the recent FA Cup final in Wembley. Giacomo Smith's arrangement and bass clarinet playing on the lead-off track also complements the ingenuity of the vocals.

The collection of songs includes a favourite of Zara's, 'Mean to Me', from Sassy's 1950 album Sarah Vaughan and after Marvin Gaye a version that follows in the footsteps of beboppers favourite Vaughan morphing stylistically to cover the 1970s era classic 'Inner City Blues'. Zara also contributes a fine original which is the title track that is totally in keeping with the classic mood. Musicians in the studio with McFarlane and Smith include pianist Joe Webb who adds the most vintage touches, bassist Ferg Ireland and drummer Jas Kayser at its core. McFarlane's Caribbean heritage isn't forgotten given the presence of a role for the steel plan playing of Marlon Hibbert.

Zara McFarlane, photo above: Kareem Abdul. Main photo: via Riotsquad 'The Mystery of Man' is streaming ahead of the full album's release on Friday