In a contemporary jazz world that finds itself constantly in self-defense against the purist claim that smooth jazz has bastardized and commercialized the genre, Kate McGarry'sIf Less Is More… Nothing Is Everythingis unusually safe. From start to finish, not much here inspires more than one listen. That said, there are a few saving graces that lift this effort above the typical coffee-shop open-mic performance, particularly some very nice organ accents in "You're my Thrill," "Just What I Needed," and "The Times They Are A-Changin'." "Flor de Lis"--featuring McGarry's not-so-offensive attempt at scatting-- has the most 'umph,' but the fairly bland saxophone solo deflates whatever charge the song builds to that point. The high point comes and goes with McGarry putting music to the e.e. cummings poem "I Carry Your Heart With Me." It's a romantic turn that works well, but grows boring and tiresome if heard in the context of the eight songs that precede it. Better luck next time.--Eric C.P. Martin