Pearls
Artist: David Sanborn

David Sanborn is joined on this CD by an orchestra arranged by Johnny Mandel for a set of music dominated by melodic versions of standards. Sanborn does not get all that far away from the themes (which include "Try a Little Tenderness," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "For All We Know," "This Masquerade" and a very emotional "Everything Must Change"... Read More

Kinetic Energy
Artist: Raz

Raz's eponymous debut album is a sterling collection of smooth jazz. Although there isn't anything here that will please jazz purists -- the group doesn't care for improvisation, they only care about keeping a steady groove -- its easy goove, light melodies and polished surfaces make it ideal for fans of smooth jazz radio. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All... Read More

Children of the Light
Artist: Rodney Whitaker

For his debut as leader, Whitaker takes center stage on several melodies and solos frequently. His playing is well-rounded in every respect, and he has a supple, sleek, strong tone. His core group for this outing consists of James Carter (tenor sax), Cassius Richmond (flute), Wallace Roney and Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Cyrus Chestnut (piano),... Read More

Full Circle
Artist: Kilauea

Since Kilauea first stormed the smooth jazz airwaves in 1991, keyboardist Daniel Ho's lush ballads and lighthearted pop musings have been performed by a band comprised of quickly rotating personnel and the occasional all-star guest. Until the release of Full Circle, it was easy to view Ho as more of a solo artist with great support. But the new... Read More

Escape
Artist: Bill Evans
Community Score: 10.00

From Miles Davis' Doo-Bop to albums by Greg Osby and Steve Coleman, much of the "jazz/rap fusion" released has been more hip-hop than jazz -- essentially, hip-hop with jazz overtones. Bill Evans, however, has featured rappers in much the way a hard bopper would feature a singer -- on "Reality" and the poignant, reggae-influenced "La Di Da,"... Read More

Doky Brothers
Artist: Doky Brothers
Community Score: 10.00

This release sounds contemporary in spots due to the prominence and virtuosity of bassist Chris Minh Doky (who sometimes shares in the melody statements), two appearances by Michael and Randy Brecker, the fact that the flavor of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock (along with Oscar Peterson and Vince Guaraldi) can be heard in pianist Niels Lan Doky's... Read More

State of Grace
Artist: Jeff Lorber

Also delving deep as ever into the retro, vibin, chillin' atmospheres is veteran keyboard funkateer Jeff Lorber, who was actually around playing and helping create the style in the first place. On the cool explosions of State of Grace (Verve Forecast), one of pop fusion's early forebears shuns the synthesizer effects and again pulls out his... Read More

Power Forward
Artist: Wayman Tisdale

At this point, Wayman Tisdale was better known as a one of the NBA's tough power forwards, a position often described as the equivalent to hockey's enforcer, but on the jazz tip Tisdale's silky smooth and a purveyor of mature romanticism. He's not a virtuoso on any of the instruments he plays (yet) -- bass guitar, keyboards, or the synthesizer... Read More