Day & Night
After setting the smooth-jazz world ablaze in early 1999 with his second Album,Let's Get Started, drummer and studio musician Gota Yashiki returns with another solid album that effortlessly bridges the gap between the English acid jazz-funk movement and the American smooth-jazz scene. From the sly reference toCurtis Mayfieldon "Around the Corner," to the obviousTower of Powertribute on "What's Up, Charlie," Gota waves the 1970s funk flag high throughoutDay and Night. He also keeps a prevailing acid-groove bed, with a smooth-jazz sheen as a covering. "Sweet Emotion" is a perfect example of Gota's mix. It starts off with a motif straight out ofStevie Wonderbefore Gota's perfectly programmed percussion kicks off a funky midtempo beat that immediately leads to a sweet sax line that builds into a radio friendly hook taken in unison with a synthesizer that leads to a nice melodic guitar solo. FormerBrand New Heavieskeyboardist Neal Cowley shines throughout as Gota spreads his musical wealth around among some great players from the U.K. Even though the last track is a ballad, this is a record that builds in intensity and emotion from the first few smoother tracks to the latter more acidic stuff.--Mark Ruffin