“Smooth” jazz used to be a curse word, associated with Kenny G or music for the elevator. Here are two artists that, while considered part of that genre, definitely have some muscles to flex.
Tenor saxist Sam Rucker has a big and beefy sound similar to Old School guys like Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon. He mixes and matches with Lucky Kilpatrick/p-sr, carlton Savage/g, Steven Kroon/perc, Donnell Smith/b and other guests for a collection of sensuous and serene R&B moods. Vintage soul and gospel feelings come around with vocals by J. Regina Blackwell on “Please Child” and Joselyn Best on the textured “True Love.” Rucker’s tenor fills the room on the bel canto “Down on the Inside” and his soprano is sweet with acoustic and nylon guitars on “Overcomer.” Music as a Balm in Gilead.
Guitarist dee Brown keeps it uptempo and funky with a snappy team of Valdez Brantley/key-p-prog, Kern Brantley/b, Dezie McCullers Jr/sax, Ron Otis/dr, Takashi Lio/b ;and some cameo guests. Some of the grooves give a nod to the Jackson Five on the soulful “So Much” and “Beauty Within” while he gets dreamy on the strings with “I Will.” Brown gives some clean George Benson lines on the upbeat “I Want You Too” and “Pop the Question” and lets Shaunia Edwards adds some funky vocals on “Hey Baby.” Celestial seasonings!