Philly Style
Over the last decade, noted keyboard whiz Jeff Lorber has helped to fix Los Angeles as the locus of smooth-jazz sound. His geographical musical roots, however, stem from the historic wealth of jazz and soul he heard growing up in Philadelphia. With neo-soul all the rage at home, Lorber shows he's developed the same strain naturally in L.A., as his West Coast crew effortlessly plunders those grooves on "Uncle Darrow's," "Under Wraps," and the too-funky "Regardless Of," featuring singer Naila sounding a lot likeRemy Shand. Over the last four releases, Lorber has had no stability with record labels, but in that time the consistent quality of his music has been higher than when he had long-term deals with Arista and Verve. Each record, in fact, has gotten better. This is Lorber at the top of the smooth-jazz game. The ballads here--"When She Smiles," and especially the laid-back "Laissez Faire"--are among the prettiest he's ever written, and of course it wouldn't be a Lorber record without great saxophone performances--and Gary Meek andRichard Elliotboth deliver.--Mark Ruffin