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Fusion, or smooth jazz as radio stations often dub it, came along in relatively recent years. Because it emphasized melody and reduced solos to a minimum, the new sounds caught on with people who were turned off by the more cerebral jazz world. Eventually, major stars began to emerge. David Sanborn parlayed his pleasing tone on the alto sax into a steady paycheck. The house band at Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" has some of the most proficient players in jazz, but jazz seldom is heard on the late night comedy show.
Led by Saxophonist Russ Freeman, The Rippingtons has been one of the best of the smooth jazz aggregations. Now in its 15th year, The Rippingtons' Freeman has just formed a new record label, Peak Records, which will be distributed by the fine folks at Concord Records.
To mark the Peak debut, Freeman and gang have produced a new album called "Life in the Tropics." Along for the ride in Freeman's tangle with Latin music are such name performers as Eric Marienthal, Dave Koz, Paul Taylor, Howard Hewett, and Bob James.
The result? It's an improvement over the usual Rippingtons material. With a Latin beat, the band's lack of a distinctive jazz feel isn't missed as much as you might expect. I found myself enjoying large portions of the album. Perhaps Freedom should make the Latin beat an important part of his sound.
Sheila E. Gets Funky
As readers of this column know, I've been a fan of the Latin sound for a long time. One of my favorite timbales players is Sheila E., the beautiful daughter of bandleader Pete Escovedo. Sheila E. has dabbled in all kinds of music over her career, from jazz to rock. Her first album for Peak is a mixed blessing. "Sheila E. and the E-Train" tries to combine jazz and funk with mixed success.One of the great timbales players of her generation, Sheila E. asserts her leadership from the first groove. Joining her are brother, Peter Michael Escovedo, on drums, Renato Neto at the keyboards, bassist Marc Van Wageningten, saxophonist Eric Leeds, and guitarist Ray Obiedo. Despite the presence of such seasoned musicians, the album has a straight jacket feel to it. The rhythms are right, of course, but the tunes never cut loose. There's a politeness that pervades almost everything.
A New Dotsero
The group called Dotsero has been around for a decade, in their beginning often compared to Spyro Gyra, one of the most popular smooth jazz groups ever. Their new album on Peak Records shows off how well they perform their chosen style. It's good, it's slick, and it won't cause your pulse to raise one iota. In fact, you might be able to dispense with sleeping pills when this CD is on your turntable.OK, that sounds like a jab, but it's the honest truth. This is jazz that doesn't demand to be listened to. You could work comfortably in your office with Dotsero rumbling on the sound system. (That's what I'm doing right now.) The music never challenges, but is there for your brain and ears to tune in whenever required.
The album "West of Winchester" opens with a cover of the Bob James hit, "Winchester Lady." I guarantee you'll recognize the melody. Dotsero consists of Stephen Watts on tenor and soprano saxophones, Michael Friedman on basses, and Stephen's brother David on electric and acoustic guitars.
If you're lucky enough to work at home, you might well enjoy this one.
Classic Crystal
According to her publicist, Crystal Lewis is a respected Christian music artist who has Dove awards and a Grammy nomination. Her latest project features jazz interpretations of Christmas favorites. It's an album you won't soon forget."Holiday" (Metro One Records) shows a singer who's bursting with talent and is at home in the jazz idiom. With a voice almost quirky but eventually winning, Lewis runs through a catalog of yuletide swingers. She deserves a new audience beyond that of her Christian music fans. This girl can wail!
The lineup doesn't stray toward the unusual, including such familiar songs as "Joy to the World" and Mel Torme's inevitable (but welcome) "The Christmas Song."
Good album. If your collection of Christmas tunes needs new blood, go for this one.
Tribute to a Great One
For some reason I'll never understand, Gene Harris never reached the fame that should have been his. A personable pianist adept at both jazz and funk, Harris died not long ago. Perhaps a new tribute double album will introduce this outstanding musician to those who should have known him long ago."Gene Harris: The Best of the Concord Years" (Concord Records) contains two CDs jammed with material culled from the Harris association with the record company. He worked with Concord from 1985 until his death late in 1999 at age 66.
Harris was one of those special pianists. He played with both hands, using all ten fingers, although at times it sounded like he might have somehow grown an appendage or two more. His playing had the quality of life and happiness in it, although Harris went through rough times in his career that might have forced others of lesser sturdiness to move on.
Concord has done a great job of listening to all the material that Harris recorded for them. Selections are almost always delicious in one way or another. It's a joy to hear him achieve a soulful, almost church-like strut. Yet he would play a ballad with the softness and full feeling that he believed was required.
Great music from a great musician. What more could you ask?
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