Chuck Loeb: Between 2 Worlds (2009)

Creatively, Chuck Loeb has had his ups and downs over the years. Some of his albums have been disappointing, but other Loeb releases have been a lot more memorable. The self-produced Between 2 Worlds, it turns out, is among the veteran guitarist's more consistent efforts -- not to mention one of his more organic. Excessive production has been a problem for Loeb at times; having a great deal of production and programming is fine for electronica, new age, and hip-hop, but it can become quite an albatross in a medium such as improvisation-driven as jazz. Thankfully, Loeb doesn't overproduce on Between 2 Worlds, and his lyrical guitar playing has plenty of room to breathe this time. In terms of production, less is undeniably more on an album that emphasizes pop-jazz but also contains some straight-ahead post-bop. Between 2 Worlds, which was recorded in New York City and Berlin, Germany, tends to be commercial, although it is tastefully commercial. "360" and "Early Turns to Late," for example, fall into the easy listening category, but they have some substance and avoid becoming outright "elevator muzak"; the same goes for Brazilian-flavored items such as "Hiram," the title track, and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Sу Tinha de Ser Com Vocк" (which features singer Carmen Cuesta). Meanwhile, "Let's Play" and "The Great Hall" (as in Jim Hall) are straight-ahead post-bop, and this 65-minute CD moves into funky soul-jazz territory on "Mittens" and the boogaloo-ish "Let's Go" (both of which feature saxophonist Eric Marienthal, formerly of Chick Corea's Elektric Band). Between 2 Worlds isn't a remarkable album, but it is definitely a good, satisfying album -- and the fact that Loeb's guitar playing isn't suffocated by an unnecessary amount of production is obviously a plus. ~ Alex Henderson

Personnel: Chuck Loeb (guitar); Lizzy Loeb, Carmen Cuesta (vocals); Eric Marienthal (flute, saxophone); Till Bronner, Nathan Eklund (trumpet); Dieter Ilg, Gerald Veasley, Will Lee (bass guitar); Dave Weckl, Wolfgang Haffner (drums); David Charles, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Pat Bergeson, Brian Culbertson.

Tracklist:
01. Let's Go feat. [Brian Culbertson & Eric Marienthal] (6:48)
02. Hiram [feat. Will Lee] (5:46)
03. Mittens [feat. Till Bronner & Eric Marienthal] (6:43)
04. Between 2 Worlds (5:37)
05. Oh No You Didn't [feat. Lizzy Loeb] (4:22)
06. Let's Play (5:19)
07. So Tinha De Que Ser Com Voce [feat. Carmen Cuesta] (4:21)
08. The Great Hall (6:56)
09. Mean Old Man (7:10)
10. 360 (5:40)
11. Early Turns To Late [feat. Pat Bergeson] (6:14)
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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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Dave Koz: Ultimate Christmas (2011)

Ultimate Christmas is the fourth seasonal album from California smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz in his accomplished 21-year solo career. Longtime fans will probably already own at least one, or in some cases, even three, copies of the majority of material on offer, as other than the brief instrumentals that bookend its 18 tracks ("Welcoming Thee Season," "Welcoming the New Year"), every single number has previously appeared on either 1997's December Makes Me Feel This Way, 2001's A Smooth Jazz Christmas, or 2007's Memories of a Winter's Night. While this compilation, therefore, remains largely inessential for the audiences who flock to his annual Smooth Jazz Christmas tours, it's a perfectly serviceable introduction to his interpretive talents for those wanting an overview of his yuletide-themed output. Most of the classic Christmas standards you'd expect to hear make an appearance, from hymns including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Tannenbaum," to traditional favorites like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," to more contemporary tunes such as an impassioned bluesy rendition of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas" (featuring guest vocals by American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke) and the album's sole original composition, the charming Parisian folk of "Eight Candles (A Song for Hanukkah)." The tasteful smooth jazz arrangements, on the whole, offer few surprises, but there are occasions when Koz and his impressive guest list of collaborators (including pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun) bring something new to the table, such as the chilled R&B slow-jam treatment afforded to "White Christmas," the subtle flamenco guitars and bossa nova beats of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," and the campfire acoustics of "Sleigh Ride," while the highlight appears courtesy of "Silent Night," which bravely waits two minutes before its sparse fingerpicking guitar hooks are joined by Koz and the gorgeously soulful tones of singer/songwriter Brenda Russell. The fact that so much of Ultimate Christmas is already available limits its appeal, but it's still a charming body of work that establishes Koz's reputation as the master of festive smooth jazz. ~ Jon O'Brien

Tracklist:
01. Welcoming the Season (Prelude) - 1:14
02. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 2:54
03. The Christmas Song (feat. Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun and Brenda Rusell) - 4:56
04. Sleigh Ride - 3:21
05. White Christmas (feat. Kelly Sweet) - 3:18
06. Winter Wonderland - 4:30
07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (feat. Brian Culbertson) - 3:52
08. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Rick Braun, Peter White and David Benoit) - 4:22
09. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Kimberley Locke) - 3:44
10. Silver Bells - 3:50
11. Eight Candles (A Song For Hanukkah) - 3:34
12. Deck The Halls - 3:42
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (feat. Peter White) - 3:49
14. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - 3:48
15. Silent Night (feat. Peter White, Rick Braun and Brenda Russell) - 4:32
16. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 4:10
17. Auld Lang Syne - 1:52
18. Welcoming the New Year (Coda) - 1:25
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