Bill Evans: Soul Insider (2000)

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Bill Evans has always been one of jazz's most forward-thinking and prolific musicians; yet, he's also one of its most undervalued. Pursuing contrasting styles and sounds, accompanied by his scorching, soulful technique, Evans has courted jazz-rap (Escape), all- acoustic bop (Starfish and the Moon), and neo-smooth jazz (Touch). With skills honed in the furnaces of Miles Davis's groups and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Evans has addressed commercial concerns but has also made time to blow mean music and push the boundaries. Soul Insider is a bump- righteous, soul-jazz affair as funky as a Blues Brothers record, but as smooth as silk and cigar smoke. Surrounding himself with a crack band, including guitarist John Scofield, organist Ricky Peterson, percussionist Don Alias, and heroic funk-drummer supreme, Steve Jordan, Soul Insider simmers slowly to the boiling point. It's a rare record where everyone actually grooves like mad in the studio live, and tracks such as "Van's Joint" and "Cool Eddie" pump like Booker T & the MGs injected with NYC grease and gravy. Les McCann adds vocals on "Lose My Number" and "You Sure Look Good to Me," bringing a good-natured glee to the rumpus-room funk. "Cheeks" recalls early David Sanborn or classic King Curtis or Aretha, while "Sneaky" is drenched in a nocturnal urban edge, as is the sweltering "Older Days." Evans blows hot and boisterous throughout, raising high this squirming soul soufflé. --Ken Micallef

Tracklist:

1. Vans Joint
2. Cool Eddie
3. Lose My Number
4. Cheeks
5. You Sure Look Good to Me
6. Big Mama
7. Sneaky
8. Gimme Some
9. Older Days
10. Thump
11. The Shorty Shuffle

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Michael Lington: Everything Must Change (2002)

Some bop snobs would have listeners believe that smooth jazz is inherently evil because it is designed to attract R&B and pop audiences -- that commercialism is a place where only infidels, heretics, and blasphemers dwell. But truth be told, smooth jazz is what the artist chooses to make it; some pop-friendly jazz (Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn, Pat Metheny) has been quite creative. Unfortunately, a lot of radio-oriented smooth jazz tends to be contrived and formulaic, and more often than not, Michael Lington's Everything Must Change is a perfect example of an artist modeling himself after what NAC radio is playing instead of gambling with inspiration. The problem with much of this CD isn't the fact that Lington has been influenced by urban contemporary, funk, and pop -- contrary to the assertions of bop snobs, there is no reason why jazz shouldn't be combined with a variety of different things. Nor is Lington's problem a lack of chops; he's a capable saxophonist who knows his way around both the alto and the soprano. The problem with most of Everything Must Change is a lack of spontaneity and a refusal to break free of the dictates of smooth jazz/NAC radio; all too often, the Danish saxman is more than happy to emulate Dave Koz, Warren Hill, or Kenny G. if it will make program directors happy. Nonetheless, this CD does have a few memorable tracks -- most notably, the Spanish-tinged, somewhat Gato Barbieri-ish "Mallorca" and a soulful interpretation of "Everything Must Change." Lington really digs into Bernard Ighner's standard, and he demonstrates that he is quite capable of being warm and personal instead of formulaic. But those tracks are the exception instead of the rule; most of the time Lington sells himself short on this 2002 release. - AMG

Tracklist:
01. Off The Hook [3:57]
02. In The Shade [4:26]
03. Through The Fire [4:44]
04. The Moment [4:02]
05. For You [3:48]
06. Larger Than Life [3:50]
07. Still Thinking Of You [3:58]
08. 3 A.M. [4:39]
09. Mallorca [3:34]
10. Everything Must Change [06:51]
Personnel:
Michael Lington (soprano & alto saxophone);
Lee Thornburg (trumpet);
Ricky Peterson (hammond B-3 organ);
Gregg Karukas (keyboards, Mini-Moog synthesizer);
Jeff Lorber (keyboards, guitar, programming);
Julian Bunetta, Sam Purkin, Brian Culbertson (keyboards, programming);
Tony Maiden, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar);
Paul Viapiano (spanish guitar);
Alex Al, Roberto Vally, Nathan East (bass);
Ricky Lawson (drums);
Leslie Smith (percussion)
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