Roger Smith - Sittin' In - 2010

Pianist Roger Smith returns with another well-crafted and tasteful set of jazzy tunes inflected and spiced up with soul. The man knows that variety is the spice of life and on all tracks we are not allowed to snooze off, doze, lose interest or deviate. The sheer energy and vibe of his keyboard skills paired with real live instrumentation and variety of instrumental solos keeps my interest up. You know how scathing I can be towards today's staid US jazz scene- well this cynical and oft poisonous opinion doesn't stretch to this album. Admittedly, though, if comparing with his last album then it may not meet the same high standards, but it sure towers over much of what passes as competition. The opening song is one that allows all soloists to shine - so if you are a fan of sax and organ then this will be your cup of tea without a doubt. To me, it is reminiscent of recent funkier works from the likes of Brian Culbertson, Bob Baldwin, Bobby Lyle and Jeff Lorber. "Just Friends" applies a similar formula, added to which we find some tasteful female vocals.

"Isn't It Love?" is a corker - vocals that ooze the smoothness of Chris Walker but the soaring ability of Glenn Jones. This is a great track complete with organ, piano and rhythm guitar. the vocal flirting between the Karen White-ish Carol J. Toca and La Jon Walker are tantalising and works great in the bubbly and inventive setting. "Music Is Love" is another track I can highly recommend. Written and co-produced by the excellent Curtis Ohlson - he, and along with Rosie Gaines, of "A Thousand Years" fame - this song may not be a fully-fledged vocal but has more atmosphere than one of Sly Stone's parties! "Sweet Lady" is produced by Derek "D.O.A." Allen and has a great Marion Meadows feel, complete with sexy female backing vocals. The best instrumental cut for me is the interesting "Searchin'" which chugs along with sax, guitar and even the mere ghost of a rock guitar. This has texture and plenty of promise. Interesting that New Edition's superb 1988 effort "Can You Stand The rain" is covered, with vocals courtesy of Philip Ingram. A great track and different but doesn't touch the original. This will go down a storm on stations such as Jazz FM, and fans of strong vocals will also dig this. Check it out.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Roger Smith - Just Enough - 2007

Roger Smith's albums may well be lumped in with the Smooth Jazz elements and as such could well become overlooked. Being no fan of this pallid music form I can assure you that the fare that Roger dishes up is neither smooth, featureless or pallid in any sense of the word. Like other strong Jazz-Fusion artists he has to tread a fine line, yet Roger Smith does it with real aplomb. This recent musical episode is not one that I would recommend you overlook. As far as American Jazz goes, it's the best of the bunch and much doffing of my hat to the man for his sensuous, soulful and funky mix of ballads, steppers and instrumentals. There are plenty of vocals and these are the ones that really whet my appetite. Of all the vocal cuts my favourite has to be the brilliant "Sunset Dreams" which features 80s soul hero Philip Ingram as well as the wonderful Lynn Fiddmont! This is summer set to music...the warm bass, tinkling ivories, slinky yet funky backbeat and soulfully haunting backing harmonies are simply out of this world.

If this isn't good enough, the superb title track will be enough to satisfy. This kind of material is far, far removed from Smooth Jazz as you could ever wish it to be. This is the kind of material that Bobby Lyle expertly laid down on his seminal "The Power Of Touch" album back in 1997. Fans of George Duke will also dig this material. I call it exquisite. Those of you who own his "Consider This" album will already be aware of his "I'll Always Love You" which features the Temptations on vocals. Released in 2000, this line-up of the Temptations features Barrington Scott Henderson on lead vocals, and what a stunning lead singer he was! A great sax-drenched ballad it's welcome that it appears again here. The brassy "Friday" is another great vocal track and the vocal approach is a nod towards today's young buck RnB singer but the vocal harmonies are more akin to those usually adopted by George Nash and Eric Benét. The result? Superb! The remix with strings is also a lot warmer and a great track that stands separately. The beautifully sung "Just Another Day" would not be out of place on a Mojazz Norman Connors set, and I only wish we heard more from HIM! This is a really strong jazz set from the states, and trust me folks there ain't many of those about these days!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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