There are plenty of musicians that are easily relegated to the Smooth Jazz field, such as Kenny G or Najee. Other guys, like Dave Koz or Gerald Albright (who guests on this latest album) are more the “Jazz/R&B” vein, not unlike vintage Earl Bostic. This release, which has Koz with a tone of guests including Albright, Rick Braun, Richared Elliot, Jonathan Butler and others including some arrangements by Gordon Goodwin, would have been considered mainstream 30 years ago, with some hot solos and swinging grooves, but in this day of cacophonous navel gazing, is considered “pop.” Go figure!
Sure, there’s some pop tunes out there, such as the 60s ditty “More Today Than Yesterday,” but even this is a fun and upbeat delight, and Koz makes it work, while the optimistic “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) has Kenny Lattimore and Shelea Frazier sounding soulfully satisfying together. Goodwin’s chart of “From A to Z” includes a hip “Take the A Train” while a slinky “Route 66” has some sassy vocals by Aubrey Logan.
Guest Albright is snazzy on “Before I Let Go,” and Elliot’s horn gives a vintage Motown read of Stevie Wonder’s “If You Really Love Me” and Caribbean moods are delivered with Koz teaming with warm voiced Jonathan Butler on “Late in the Evening.” Koz and friends put a smile on the jazz face with this one.
Koz and company are starting a tour and are coming to Thousand Oaks July 6. Should be a fun fest!