Guitarist Lawson Rollins is one of the few out there that can bridge the gap between jazz, world and smooth. He’s got a lyrical touch on the guitar, and also has some fun with drum programming on this collection of tunes from various parts of the world. Sort of like an musical version of National Geographic, this disc takes you to places and moods from a Django Reinhardted “Café Paris” to a flamenco filled night club on “Barcelona Express.” Rollins keeps it sharp as a tack as he mixes Bach with samba on a very clever “Berlin Express” while “The Urban Trilogy’ emphasizes synthesized grooves along with exciting percussion and clear as a bell soloing by the composer. He makes smooth jazz sound rough and ready.
Infinita Records