While
Man & Woman embraces a mellower approach than guitarist
George Freeman's other Groove Merchant dates, it's by no means the late-night boudoir record its erotic cover suggests -- the stripped-down, nuanced sound instead adheres to a relatively straightforward soul-jazz formula, more focused and earthbound in its orientation than the average
Freeman session. Teaming here with pianists
Harold Mabern and
Kenny Barron, bassist
Bob Cranshaw, and drummer
Buddy Williams, the guitarist embraces the change of pace, settling comfortably into the music's slow, slinky grooves -- not only are his solos as imaginative as before, but they also boast a rippling sensuality otherwise absent from his previous records. ~ Jason Ankeny