In Brief

* * * Ephraim Lewis, “Skin,” Elektra. This collection of jazz-soul boudoir ballads stands out from today’s homogenous crowd of “oooh, baby” romancers on the strength of vocal chops and solid song-craft. We’ve heard the melting violins and soaring organ chords before, and Barry White comes to mind on a few tracks. But this English singer-songwriter’s debut impresses with genuine emotion and a stunning voice that goes wherever its owner’s imagination sends it.