ALL IN LOVE IS FAIR
Reimagining “All in Love Is Fair”
How an inspiration, new harmonies, and lush strings shaped our soulful reinterpretation of a timeless song.
The idea for this rendition of “All in Love Is Fair” started when I was listening to “I Forgive You” by Rachelle Ferrell, one of my musical heroes. I was deeply moved by the groove and the melancholic, piano-driven atmosphere of the track, and it inspired me to capture a similar emotional space in a reinterpretation of Stevie Wonder’s “All in Love Is Fair.” When I brought the idea to producer David Olivas, he began experimenting at the piano, reharmonizing the original changes and shaping a new harmonic landscape for the song. Once the arrangement took form, I approached the vocals with the dramatic, expressive style of 90s ballads inspired by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey—blending soft, intimate whispers with soaring dynamics to bring out the emotional depth of Stevie’s lyrics. When David and I felt the track needed another dimension, we brought in strings arranged by the brilliant Katisse Buckingham. We then recorded the piece live with the incredible pianist Quinn Johnson, and the beautiful string performances of Allysa Park and Timothy Loo. The result became a heartfelt blend of reverence and reinvention—our way of honoring a timeless song while letting it breathe in a new emotional world.
Audience Notes
With gratitude to the listeners who share their voices
“Timeless lyrics meet modern artistry; I’m enchanted.”
— Robert T., San Francisco
“Tender yet honest; love in all its fairness and unfairness.”
— Isabelle L., Paris
“An emotional journey; every note strikes a chord.”
— Michael H., London
“Love rendered in music—pain, joy, and everything in between.”
— Kwame T., Accra
“Beautifully intimate, like a love letter set to music.”
— Jasmine L., Saint Croix
“Jill balances softness and strength masterfully.”
— Kenji O., Tokyo
“Poignant and real; a song that invites introspection.”
— Elena R., Madrid
“Every bar feels considered; love’s complexity in full bloom.”
— Pieter V., Amsterdam
TICKETY TOCK
“The rhythm of Tickety Tock is playful yet profound—really keeps me on my toes!”
— Maria S., Los Angeles
“There’s a hypnotic pulse here; reminds me of classic 1960s swing, but fresh for today.”
— Robert T., San Francisco
“Jill has captured the spirit of time itself—this track feels timeless.”
— Isabelle L., Paris
“Brilliant layering; every beat tells a story.”
— Michael H., London
“The syncopation dances in my mind, a true connection across continents.”
— Kwame T., Accra
“Like waves ticking on the shore, I can’t get enough of it.”
— Jasmine L., Saint Croix
“The phrasing is exquisite; every note deliberate, every pause meaningful.”
— Kenji O., Tokyo
“Tickety Tock reminds me of walking through old city streets in rhythm with life itself.”
— Pieter V., Amsterdam
“Tickety Tock” blends Jill Desiree’s signature soulful vocals with Katisse Buckingham’s legendary jazz flute playing, driven by funky, laid-back grooves, tight horn lines, and organic instrumentation. Its laid-back yet rhythmically complex vibe is perfect for playlists that highlight jazzy, soulful, or groove-based moods like State of Jazz, Butter, or All Funked Up. Ideal for listeners seeking a blend of classic soul feeling with contemporary musicianship.
WOLVES
A Funky and Soulful Commentary on the life in the Modern World
“Wolves” is a groove-centric piece crafted with co-writters David Olivas, Katisse Buckingham, and Kent Moore. The whole tune came out of a funky little keyboard comping hook I wrote years ago... David and Kent ran with that little hook to create a track, which we later used as a sketch reference for the final live-in-studio arrangement. For the lyrics, David and I collaborated with woodwind virtuoso and spoken word artist, Katisse. Katisse has such a unique voice as a lyricist. He’s a master of word play, stream of consciousness poetry, and over-the-bar phrasing. It was such an honor to have the benefit of his unique lyrical in the piece.
The final rhythm section session for “Wolves” was recorded live at Tritone studios in Glendale, CA with Talley Sherwood behind the board. The tune features an all-star rhythm section of Steve Hass on drums, Cooper Appelt on bass, and Quinn Johnson on keys. Once the basics were tracked Katisse and I set to arranging some very intricate horn section work. The horn arrangement Katisse came up with really exceeded my expectations of what was possible. Originally, I had written a little sax and trumpet intro line for the top of the tune. What he built on that idea was so much more than just some hooks and horn stabs. The horns weave incredibly intricately in and out of the vocals lines. Rhythmically and melodically they became almost inextricably intertwined with the lyric and melody. Joining Katisse in the horn section is LA session great, Aaron Janik on trumpet, who is also a featured soloist on the track.
“The energy in Wolves is fierce, untamed, and electrifying.”
— Maria S., Los Angeles
“It’s raw and instinctive—like nature in sound form.”
— Robert T., San Francisco
“I feel the pack; the rhythm is communal, primal.”
— Isabelle L., Paris
“Bold instrumentation and strong vocals—this track commands attention.”
— Michael H., London
“A song that feels alive, dangerous, and beautifully controlled.”
— Kwame T., Accra
“Wild yet sophisticated; Jill tames the wilderness in melody.”
— Zanele M., Mbabane
“Intensity captured perfectly, a masterclass in tension and release.”
— Kenji O., Tokyo
“I can hear the hunt, the chase, the freedom—it’s cinematic.”
— Nia A., Osaka
Fragile Feat. Katisse
With Fragile, I feel like the message of Sting’s lyrics is deeply profound and, unfortunately, timeless. Despite the song’s eloquent, understated, and extremely convincing lyrical condemnation of the unending cycles of violence in humanity’s history, we all know that the ears most deaf to this message will be those most involved in perpetuating violence. In my version, the band and I are screaming this message at the top of our lungs. It’s more musically aggressive than most might interpret such a delicate, heartfelt lyric. But at this point, if no one is going to heed Sting’s warning, we don’t know what else to do. Maybe someday, someone will listen.
Audience Reflections
“It’s introspective, really makes me pause and think.”
— Anthony J., Orlando, FL
“Every note feels intentional; it pulls at the heart.”
— Linda W., Palm Beach, FL
“Fragile yet so compelling; it’s emotionally engaging.”
— Thomas J., Boca Raton, FL
The Rain Can Fall
“The Rain Can Fall embraces a jazz-infused pop sound that reflects Jill's growing expertise in blending genres. With its smooth, flowing rhythm and beautiful instrumentation, the track brings to mind the greats of jazz while maintaining a contemporary appeal”
“The Rain Can Fall” reveals a more intimate side of Jill Desiree’s songwriting, exploring vulnerability and emotional resilience through honest, relatable lyrics. Blending jazz-inspired textures with modern pop sensibilities, the track features flowing rhythms, warm instrumentation, and Jill’s soulful vocals—creating a timeless sound that invites listeners to reflect on their own emotional journeys. The song also earned Jill a Semi-Finalist placement for Best Female Vocal in the 2025 Unsigned Only Music Awards, highlighting the emotional power of her performance.
Broken
won the best Jazz award in the 29th annual USA songwriting competition
"...To me it's the way that all these musicians came together to pull off something that was just electric and alive. You can't beat the energy of this track. Jill herself does such an incredible performance and you can hear those classic influences in her vocal approach."
- The Sounds Won't Stop
This is the first original tune I’m releasing from my upcoming solo album. The album will be a collection of songs that I’ve been working on for years. They are super close to my heart.
During the time that I was writing the melody and lyrics to “Broken”, I was obsessed with listening to two albums: Erykah Badu’s “Baduizm” and Rachelle Ferrell’s “Individuality.” The way that those two artists combined funky grooves with sophisticated jazz harmony inspired my writing process. I was pretty young and naive when I wrote the first sketch of the lyrics. They were drawn from the pain and frustrations I felt in my relationships at that time. I left the tune unfinished for years, until I reached out to Dave to help me complete it. Dave and I are both big fans of the music of Marcus Miller and the track we came up with was loosely inspired by his writing style. The basic chord progression we landed on was sort of a play on “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter, but the funky way we imagined Marcus Miller might play that tune. The band knocked the basics out on this one in two takes, and both were killing. I believe this was the second take. It was such a blast to be in a session with these amazing cats!! Hope you dig it!
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the amazing cats that helped me bring this project to life: Steve Hass, Cooper Appelt, Quinn Johnson, Will Brahm, Katisse Buckingham, Talley Sherwood and Kent Moore
Recorded at Tritone Recording
www.talleysherwood.com
I’d also like to say an extra special thank you to the amazing Katisse Buckingham, who not only performed the killing sax parts/solo, but also led the production of the entire session. He is as brilliant a producer as he is an instrumentalist, and David Olivas and I had such a blast working with him! His music and mentorship have been a huge inspiration to us, and it was a privilege to have the contribution of his vision and artistry on these tunes.
Sounds Like Music
“Sounds Like Music” is a funky, medium-tempo groove with playful lyrics about the songwriting process. The track rides on the energetic interplay between my soulful R&B vocals and the unmistakably funky saxophone of virtuoso woodwind player Katisse Buckingham - whose jazz flute you might recognize from the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Think the spirit of Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, and Tower of Power - classic soul energy with a fresh, modern groove.
If it grooves, if it swings, if it moves your soul… well, to me, that just sounds like music!!!
Cover Story
EP Release, May 1st 2021
Debut EP ‘Cover Story’
A devout student of legendary vocalists like Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin, Jill Desiree sings undeniable wisdom and passion. On her debut album, she pays tribute to her heroes while pushing the genre into bold new territory. The result is an adventurous EP that shines a spotlight on a dynamic emerging talent.
‘Cover Story’ opens with an evocative cover of Sting’s ‘Shape Of My Heart.’ With its meandering rhythms and largely improvised woodwinds performed by Katisse Buckingham, the track is an ideal introduction to Jill’s philosophy.
“Improvised music allows each player to express themselves,” she explains. “The goal is to create a musical conversation within the context of popular songs.”
Along with her all-star cast of accompanists, she applies this strategy brilliantly to compositions by icons like Stevie Wonder to lesser known but equally deserving talents like Raul Midon. Jill’s versatility as a vocalist allows her to fully inhabit these songs, breathing new life into classics and revealing herself as an exceptionally promising new artist.
“I love the voice as much as anyone, but the recordings that I enjoy most are just as much about the creative decisions and the virtuosity of the cats. I want to hear the musician's creativity and their voices on their instruments alongside mine. ” - Jill Desiree