Night Passage
Artist: Weather Report
Community Score: 10.00

All things being relative, this is Weather Report's straightahead album, where the elaborate production layers of the late-'70s gave way to sparer textures and more unadorned solo improvisation in the jazz tradition, electric instruments and all. The flaw of this album is the shortage of really memorable compositions; it is more of a vehicle for... Read More

Standards My Way
Artist: Kimiko Itoh
Lip Service
Artist: Joel Helleny

Although he works steadily in the New York area, trombonist Joel Helleny is not as well-known as one would expect from the talent he shows on this CD (released in 1997). With the assistance of a quietly supportive rhythm section comprised of pianist Richard Wyands, guitarist Ray Macchiarola, bassist Murray Wall and drummer Leroy Williams,... 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

Birdman
Artist: Mujician

Recording again after a two-year interval, and again in front of a small live audience, Mujician offers more of its unique style of wide-ranging collective improvisation. This CD consists of three long, diffuse pieces, with one just under 30 minutes and another just over that length. On the somewhat austere and abstract title piece, Paul Dunmall... Read More

Michel Legrand Album
Artist: Trotter Trio

The Trotter Trio pays tribute to Michel Legrand's large body of film themes with The Michel Legrand Album. Comprised of such classic songs as "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," and "Pieces of Dreams," the record is a lush, affectionate salute to one of the cinema's greatest composers and is a... 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

City Speak
Artist: Richard Elliot
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

Diamond Collection
Artist: Kilauea

A selection of tracks from Kilauea's four albums, combined with three new tracks cut for this collection (the three new tracks are provided at the beginning of the album, and provide it with a nice kickstart). The fourteen tracks on Diamond Collection are beautifully played, warm and fluffy contemporary jazz rooted in pleasant synth, piano and... Read More

Livin' Large
Artist: Fattburger

Fattburger, which is essentially a five-piece rhythm section, would benefit from the inclusion of a lead voice. Saxophonist Hollis Gentry helps out on three of the ten selections on this CD, but his presence is missed on the other selections despite some good solos from guitarist Evan Marks and keyboardist Carl Evans, Jr.. The result is a... Read More

Celebrating the Music of Weather Report
Artist: Jason Miles

Telarc and producer Jason Miles brought in a boat-load of contemporary jazz heavyweights to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Weather Report's formation with this recording, and quite a celebration it is. Miles and his all-star cast have managed to remain true to the original music, while updating and opening up the arrangements. Tenor saxman... Read More