Acquainted With the Night
British acid-jazz guitaristRonny Jordanopens and closesAcquainted with the Night, this 12-song commemoration of Pieces of a Dream's silver anniversary. Discovered by fellow PhiladelphianGrover Washington Jr.when the band members were in their teens, the rhythm section does the late sax great proud with inspired guest shots by tenor menKenny Blakeand the ubiquitousGerald Albright. ButAcquainted with the Nightseems to really be the coming-out party for pianist James Lloyd. He wrote or cowrote three-fourths of the songs, and his maturity as a producer and soloist is evident, particularly the haunting "Trance." He also shines with Albright on "Off the Hook," which they definitely are. The only odd blemishes on this otherwise worthy smooth-jazz celebration are the two vocal selections, both of which are inexplicablyDiana Rosscovers, featuring a surprisingly ineffective and seemingly unaffectedMaysafromIncognitoon "Upside Down," and a raw attempt at hip-hop on the theme from the 1970s movieMahogany.--Mark Ruffin