Boyd, the lead singer of the funk, soul, folk, jazz collective called Phantom Vanity, once had designs on becoming an Olympic gymnast. Unfortunately, she was unable to achieve that dream, but Boyd had a very strong second move as a songwriter and singer. She assembled a band consisting of top flight instrumentalists who made their bones as sidemen for leaders such as Terrance Blanchard, Kasami Washington, Louis Hayes and Ravi Coltrane and she penned numbers such as the seductive and serene “Sensual Playground.”
The video can serve as a lesson on how to create a work that reminds us that a touch and a glance can be revealing and – well – sensual in their own way. I went on YouTube and checked out an audition video made by Phantom Vanity in hopes of being selected to appear in one of NPR’s Tiny Desk videos. Boyd’s voice accompanied primarily by guitars is a revelation. She may no longer be turning somersaults, but Boyd can still dream big. Check out her work below
By Howard Dukes
World Premiere Video
Phantom Vanity – “Sensual Playground”
