Saxist and trumpeter Terje Lie has released a number of fun and light smooth jazz albums throughout the years. This one shows a lot more muscle, and the better for it. It shows the benefits of good friends, as he sounds magnificently hefty with a rhythm section of Jeff Lorber/key-g, Jimmy Haslip/b and Tony Moore/dr (along with various cameo guests). There is some rubber necking funk fun on pieces like “Storm Skies” and the back beating “You Know” which spotlight Lie’s soprano and tenor work to perfection. His tenor sounds 6 pack ripped on the R&Bish “Islands” and “Pancakes” while his alto is sleek and mellow on “A Special Thing.” A nice guitar solo by Michael Landau spiffs up “Big Surf” while Haslips cruises like a V8 on this and “Santa Anas” and Lorber adds rich harmonies and solos throughout. Enough body building here to look good at Venice Beach!
TCat Records