Belgium's Claude Maurane is the antithesis of the stereotypical jazz vocalist, eschewing the hard living and hard times so integral to the jazz mythos to celebrate the joys of motherhood and domestic life. In 1985, she won the esteemed Prix de la Meilleure Chanson, and later that year collaborated with saxophonist Steve Houben and pianist Charles Loos on the LP HLM. The record was a critical success and resulted in the 1986 release of Maurane's proper solo debut, Danser, which proved a commercial smash as well, thanks in part to the singer's soulful approach and emphasis on narrative, in particular family life, the dominant theme of her oeuvre. ~ Jason Ankeny