Revisiting Judi Singh’s album, ‘A Time for Love’

Judi Singh’s eerie jazz song, “Up and Down,” has been making rounds on social media half a century after its release. Singh was born and raised in Edmonton, however, her work has gone largely unnoticed by the city. Her father, Sohan Singh Bhullar, after whom Sohan Singh Bhullar Park in Millwoods is named, was one of the first Indians to immigrate to Edmonton. Between her outstanding discography and familial ties to Edmonton, it’s a shame that Edmontonians have forgotten Singh’s legacy. Her work is a testament to the city’s rich musical history. Over 50 years since its release, it’s time to revisit one of her greatest projects, A Time for Love (1970).

Singh recorded A Time for Love in Edmonton alongside acclaimed Canadian musician, Tommy Banks. Featuring both covers and original songs, the 12-track jazz album is unforgettable. Singh’s voice is delicate, animated, and earnest all at the same time. Her vocals sit perfectly over the beautiful instrumental arrangements found on this album.

The album opens with sparkling instrumentals in “So I’m Wrong Again.” This song finds its success in simple, yet clever, lyricism. Singh plainly admits “I’ll be wrong again, and what’s more / I didn’t think anyone was keeping score.” “Look Around” is a cover of the 1968 track by Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66. Singh’s voice brings this song to new heights against the crisp guiro, pronounced horns, and fluttering flutes.

“Up and Down” is the heart of this album, and a highlight within Singh’s entire discography. The song is in triple-meter which creates a swaying waltz pattern. Singh’s soft vocals create a dreamy atmosphere that is enhanced by destabilizing lyrics that give this song its haunting charm. “Up and down / And round and round / Please come down / Give me my mind back now.” Singh continues to subvert expectations, bending both time and direction, to add to the lopsided feeling of this song. Thematically, “Up and Down” follows the desire for stability in the midst of an inescapable and tumultuous journey. “Falling up / I need some help / No, I need some time / Turn the hands round / Thank you for helping me down.” 

“A Time For Love” is a cover of the 1966 song written by John Mandel and Paul Francis Webster. The strings in this piece create a beautiful canopy for Singh’s voice to glide over. The wispy flute outro provides a perfect transition into “Yesterday I Heard the Rain.”

“Another Woman” features awkward lyricism that slows down the momentum of this album. However, the record redeems itself with a return to reflective and sincere lyrics in “Forever Waits Beyond.” This song discusses the album’s recurring theme of time. Singh admits her difficulty with living in the moment (“I keep walking toward tomorrow / While I’m running from today”) before coming to terms with the constraints of time (“There’s not an hour of tomorrow / Today will let me borrow”).

Social media has made fame more attainable than ever, especially for musicians. TikTok in particular has a reputation for starting the careers of many famous up–and–coming singers. What is more fascinating though, is the ability for social media to uplift songs that have previously slipped through the cracks. Between the golden vocals and stunning instrumentals featured on this album, it’s no mistake that Singh’s work is gaining traction online decades after its release. I hope that Edmontonians embrace Singh in a similar fashion and appreciate her contributions to our city’s music scene.