Despite the absence of
Joe Sample and
Larry Carlton,
Tom Scott's
L.A. Express remains very
Crusaders-influenced on
Tom Cat -- a highly accessible jazz-funk-R&B date that, as commercial as it is, leaves room for inspired blowing courtesy of both the leader and sidemen like electric guitarist
Robben Ford and keyboardist
Larry Nash. Sweaty, hard-hitting jazz-funk is the rule on such down-home grooves as "Good Evening Mr. & Mrs. America & All the Ships" and "Day Way," which allow the players to let loose, blow, and say what needs to be said. "Love Poem" is a pleasant, likable piece of delicate mood music (but not "Muzak"!) that features wordless vocals by pop-folk singer
Joni Mitchell and has a slightly
Flora Purim-ish appeal. Unfortunately, a CD as good as
Tom Cat serves as a reminder of how dreadfully unimaginative most of
Scott's GRP albums are. ~ Alex Henderson