27 Feb ST PETERSBURG TIMES/TAMPABAY.COM , John Fleming “It may just be a summer thing, but I have found myself fixated on a new CD of Burt Bacharach songs by Carol Duboc, a singer from Kansas City (also Bacharach’s hometown)…”

Duboc, with four other albums to her credit, has a smoky jazz-pop voice that really shines in smoothly swinging numbers like Wives and Lovers (a 1964 Grammy winner for Jack Jones) and Always Something There to Remind Me. Her singing has a laid-back, witty restraint that complements Bacharach’s funky syncopation and unexpected harmonies…” No, I don’t think Dionne Warwick has anything to worry about, and I won’t forget the countless other distinctive artists who have covered Bacharach songs, from Marlene Dietrich to Petula Clark to Elvis Costello. But Duboc brings a snappy style to standards such as I’ll Never Fall in Love Again that works very nicely, thank you, and her combo includes legendary jazz flutist Hubert Laws.

Burt Bacharach Songbook (Gold Note), in stores Aug. 18, has 11 songs by Bacharach and his longtime lyricist, Hal David, plus My Melody by Duboc, a songwriter, arranger and producer who has worked with Tom Jones, Stephanie Mills, Patti La Belle, Jeff Lorber and Fine Young Cannibals. It’s hard to believe it has been so long since Warwick launched her amazing run of Bacharach-David hits like Don’t Make Me Over (1962), Anyone Who Had a Heart (1963) and Walk On By (1964).

Duboc, with four other albums to her credit, has a smoky jazz-pop voice that really shines in smoothly swinging numbers like Wives and Lovers (a 1964 Grammy winner for Jack Jones) and Always Something There to Remind Me. Her singing has a laid-back, witty restraint that complements Bacharach’s funky syncopation and unexpected harmonies, as in Say a Little Prayer, which features some wonderful Laws flute playing. There are a few classics not included here — Alfie, Do You Know the Way to San Jose? — but it’s always a good idea to leave ’em wanting more. blogs.tampabay.com/arts