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

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

A Little Sweeter
Artist: Jeffrey Smith

Jeffery Smith, whose career was helped by Shirley Horn, is a warm and expressive baritone singer who is a little reminiscent of Johnny Hartman and Billy Eckstine. On this set (his first major-label recording and second overall), he is assisted by an all-star crew: pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ray Drummond, drummer Ben Riley and occasionally... 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

Live & More
Artist: Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller is one of the great hyphenates of contemporary rhythm and jazz, equally successful as a producer (Luther Vandross, David Sanborn), songwriter (numerous Vandross hits, James/Sanborn's "Maputo"), and artist in his own right. It's not easy to capture every aspect of the man who has been called the "Superman of Soul" on one disc, but... Read More

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

What Does It Take?
Artist: Candy Dulfer

No doubt some very talented fashion and makeup artists got paid a bundle to entice your eyes with seductive, softly lit visions of the gorgeous blond Dutch sax star. The good news is, even without the hard to resist packaging, Dulfer once again hits the mark with one of those funky smooth jazz discs that could keep the dullest party humming.... Read More