As the reissue of this 1996 album demonstrates, at one time “Smooth” jazz had muscle and chops. Keyboardist Bob James got together with tenor saxist Kirk Whalum (sporting a vintage ‘do on the cover BTW) along with Chris Walker/b, Billy Kilson/dr , Jeff Golub/g and guests Leonard Gibbs/perc with Hiram Bullock/g for a hip hugger of a session. Whalum taps into his inner Coltrane on the rubato that leads into a soulful “Soweto” and gets into a funky line with thumb slapping Walker” on the strutting “Kickin’ Back”. James adds some dark hues to a lovely “Deja Blue” and the team delivers a deliciously tropical read of “ Midnight At The Oasis”. The closing “Prayer” is a contemplative delight, as James’ piano and Whalum’s tenor flicker like a Narthex candle. This album has aged amazingly well, engineered to perfection and still sounding fresher than 90% of what I take in these days. Check it out!