After a spotty series of attempts at merging jazz with pop, Dianne Reeves creates a beautifully organic synthesis between the two on Bridges, which has all the makings (panache, innovation, accessibility) of a commercial breakthrough. Reeves thrives during a quintet of folk-jazz narratives midway through the disk, from a vivid take on Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" (set off by Kenny Garrett's human-cry soprano sax) to a wordless "Olokun" by pianist-arranger Billy Childs. In between are the delicately unfolding ballad "Goodbye" (an gorgeous, instant pop classic), a shimmering remake of Milton Nascimento's "Bridges" (anchored by a Nascimento-like acoustic guitar), and perhaps the best version of Joni Mitchell's "River" ever made. The fluid interplay and petulant sentiment of the back-porch blues tune "Mista" later provides a delicious change of pace. A blocky take on Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and Reeves's sappy lyrics on "Testify" (marring a spare and spunky African-gospel rhythmic groove) prove that Bridges isn't perfect. But with sidemen like Garrett, pianist Mulgrew Miller, and bassist Reginald Veal on board for quality control, these lapses amount to minor quibbles about a sterling outing. --Britt Robson