Blue Hats
Artist: The Yellowjackets

As they continue to evolve, the Yellowjackets have gradually gone from being an R&B-oriented fusion band to a more acoustic group that emphasizes fairly straight-ahead improvisations. Although this CD has nine originals by band members and some electronics are utilized (primarily by keyboardist Russell Ferrante for color), much of the music... Read More

Club Nocturne
Artist: The Yellowjackets

For their fourteenth album as a band, the Yellowjackets announced the desire to go in a different direction from their previous outings. The difference on Club Nocturne is the inclusion of four vocal tracks. Fortunately, there is no difference here in the high level of musicianship and compositional quality long associated with this quartet. In... Read More

Double Take
Artist: Joe McBride

There's no shortage of smooth jazz royalty guesting on Joe McBride's brisk and bouncy Double Take, but for once it might be nice to hear some of those first rate melodies and nimble improvisational jaunts over rhythm pockets created by a real drum kit. Beyond the overreliance on electronica, however, this is the kind of disc proving that genre... Read More

Two Blocks from the Edge
Artist: Michael Brecker

Although Michael Brecker made his initial reputation as a greatly in-demand studio player able to play quite credibly in commercial settings, his recordings for Impulse have all been strictly straight-ahead. Displaying his roots in John Coltrane and Ernie Watts, Brecker has developed his own approach to sheets-of-sound playing while not being... Read More

Sun Song
Artist: Tony Darren

Acknowledging that he couldn't roll all of his jazz, rock, country and blues influences into his high-spirited acoustic guitar debut Sun Song, Darren he emerges with a style that is not as jazz intensive as Metheny's, yet snappy along the light funk lines of Benson's trademark "Breezin'" and heavily Brazilian. The one guitarist who is not on... Read More

Sweet Thing/It's All Good
Artist: Boney James

In 1998, Warner Bros. released Sweet Thing/It's All Good, which contained two complete albums -- Sweet Thing (1997, originally released on Warner Bros.) and It's All Good (also originally released on Warner Bros.) -- by smooth jazz saxer Boney James on one compact disc. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide Read More

Absolute Greatest Love Songs & Ballads
Artist: Alphonse Mouzon
Standards My Way
Artist: Kimiko Itoh
Jay Walking
Artist: Jay Rowe

Positive Music has become an indie haven for lesser known musicians who, with the right exposure, could be every bit as renowned as their major label counterparts. Keyboardist Jay Rowe is a perfect example. His Jay Walking is one of those technically flawless smooth jazz releases, with ultra melodic cool funk dashed with enough improvisation to... Read More

Starfish and the Moon
Artist: Bill Evans

After providing an abundance of hard-edged, aggressive jazz-funk and jazz-rap on Live and Escape, Bill Evans surprised his followers by being so relaxed on Starfish and the Moon. This excellent, highly melodic CD was hailed as "Bill Evans' acoustic album," which was misleading because Starfish has its share of keyboards and synthesizers as well... Read More

Soul Control
Artist: Gerald Veasley

Cutting his sideman teeth with legends like Grover Washington, Jr. and Joe Zawinul, Gerald Veasley has established himself as one of contemporary jazz's most dynamic young bassists. When he launched his solo career with 1992's Look Ahead, he seemed poised to bring his chosen axe to the forefront of a genre that has traditionally relied too... Read More

What's Going On
Artist: Everette Harp

Conventional contemporary wisdom says that performing covers of beloved pop classics is a cheap way to lure the curious. But when care is taken to create an entire, imaginative tribute to a great artist, with no two arrangements alike, some latitude should be in order. On his eclectic reworking of all the songs on Marvin Gaye's legendary What's... Read More

Live at the Berks Jazz Fest
Artist: Heads up Super Band

One of the best sources for in the pocket smooth jazz recordings since the early 90s, Heads Up's promise of a live date featuring three of its most appealing core artists - bassist Gerald Veasley, keyboardist Joe McBride and saxman Kenny Blake - seems like as sure a bet as the genre can offer. In terms of showcasing the varied strengths of each... Read More