Tjaderized
There's a breezy cool at the heart of this homage to the late jazz great Cal Tjader. As performed by vibe player Dave Samuels, who has made music with Spyro Gyra in the past, this LP maximizes what might be construed as a nod to '60s and '70s-era James Bond-like suavity. It's compulsively easy to listen to as background noise yet it tweaks the memory by combining style and sensibility with a dreamy, old-world approach. It's both complex and vapid; dark and light--and most of all--compels the listener to reach for that frosty glass of whatever sitting on the coffee table. Tjader was a guiding force to an era of light jazz, calypso beats, and Latin styles, and as honored by Samuels, he's also reminiscent of artists the likes of Ramsey Lewis and the whole "in crowd" mindset while still maintaining his individuality.  Great listening for a summer day.--Paula Nechak