It was fascinating last night at the Barbican to observe the contrasts – but above all the uniting factors – that are easy to make when three singers of such distinction are sharing the stage and vocal duties together. Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright and Angelique Kidjo came together again for this project which partly acts as a tribute to Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta after a successful Nina Simone-based tour two years ago.

The three draw on each other’s key strengths with Reeves playing the velvet-voiced classic jazz singer; Wright the folk and gospel-rooted almost bardic figure; and Kidjo the hyper-energetic voice of Africa. Beginning strongly with ‘Bold Soul Sister’ the trio backed by a stellar band of Geri Allen on piano and Rhodes, James Genus on bass, Romero Lubambo on guitar, Munyungo Jackson, percussion, and musical director Terri Lyne Carrington at the drums, moved comfortably into a string of songs that drew on each of the singers’ interests. Kidjo got the crowd going with ‘Saduva’ drawing on the spirit of Makeba while all three showed their supreme musicianship on Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ with different tempos and accompaniment for each. Kidjo really delivered on ‘Talkin’ About A Revolution’ and later when she walked around the hall, microphone in hand, on ‘Africa’ had everyone up and smiling as she gladhanded delighted audience members.

Reeves was powerful in other ways, with a most beautiful relaxed style throughout that sometimes recalled Ella Fitzgerald at the height of her powers. Her version of ‘Freedom Dance’ was one of the highlights of the show for me. The only thing that let down the performance was the at-times muddy sound balance which made the piano and Rhodes either invisible or just too lost in the mix. But Sing The Truth had the power to rise above such small irritations as it harnessed the passion and commitment of three of the world’s finest jazz-related singers at the peak of their powers.

– Stephen Graham