When it comes to smothering a recording with over-production or being much too slick for his own good, keyboardist Bob James is an expert. In the 1970s, James lent his "expertise" to Eric Gale's albums Ginseng Woman and Multiplication (which were united on a single CD in 1991). To be sure, James' arranging is excessive. But the damage isn't as severe as one might imagine, and the ubiquitous jazz/R&B/pop guitarist actually has enough room to stretch out at times -- as does Grover Washington, Jr. (tenor sax). Far from exceptional but generally decent and enjoyable, these albums make it clear that Gale could be a very appealing and tasteful soloist when given room to breathe. ~ Alex Henderson
Soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows plays what has to be called smooth jazz, but he stretches the template a bit by incorporating subtly nuanced Latin, Eastern, and African touches into his style. Whisper is Meadows' first new studio album since 2009's Secrets, and in many ways it works as a sort of follow-up bookend to that earlier project, and while it doesn't really ruffle any feathers, or even try to, it does generate a nice little smooth and rhythmic breeze. ~ CD Universe / / This album will be released on February 26, 2013.
AMANDA BRECKER - BLOSSOM
The daughter of the Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias and trumpeter Randy Brecker, singer/songwriter Amanda Brecker had already released two noteworthy albums in Japan in 2008 and 2009. 2012's Blossom is her first album released in the U.S. on the Emarcy label. Brecker reinterprets 11 classic songs that were written mainly by singer/songwriter Carole King. King's soft rock and soul classics are a perfect vehicle for the singer's crossover jazz arrangements, especially on "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman," "You've Got a Friend," "So Far Away," "Will You Love me Tomorrow," and "It's Too Late." Grammy-winning songwriter Jesse Harris produced the session and, in keeping with the album's theme, employed drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Lee Sklar, who played on the original Tapestry recording sessions. The release of Blossom also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Tapestry's release. ~ Al Campbell