This New York-based funky jazz label has a slew of great artists you've probably never heard of, so it seems like a good idea that they keep putting out samplers to help better acquaint them with groove-desiring smooth-jazz fans. The 1999 disco effort Smooth Jazz Plays the Disco Hits was an absolute hoot but probably didn't gain the label loads of credibility from more sophisticated potential customers. This collection of ten tracks should do the trick, as it draws from the classic '60s bossa nova style but with hard-hitting, machine-oriented percussion grooves. Among the highlights:
Shakatak's snappy, ultra-jazzy "Haze,"
Joe Fuentes' plucky acoustic musings on "Elegancias," and the Latin jam stirred up by Sambada on "Livewire." Other artists include
Martin Fuss,
Duncan Millar, and
Bill Sharpe. Conspicuously missing, perhaps due to the fact that they are more popular than the others, are
Count Basic and guitarist
Chris Standring. This is a strong introduction to new artists as well as a cool party disc. ~ Jonathan Widran