Gregg Karukas Blue Touch CD

Sure that Gregg Karukas had reached the point where his lighthearted approach to smooth jazz was instantly recognizable, the keyboardist titled his last Positive Music release, You'll Know It's Me. Though he adds dashes of hip blues textures and Crusaders-flavored twists with the Fender Rhodes (hence the title, Blue Touch), Karukas' debut is another typically high-spirited effort, a reminder as to why his albums are always perched for months in the upper reaches of the radio charts. For him, it's always about lilting, instantly memorable melodies and gentle funk. There's the spring in your step on the '70s soul-meet-'90s hip-hop of "Cruisin' Your House at Midnite" followed by the gentle piano graces of "Fly Away (Thinking of You)." He's always open to throwing in a few surprises, and on "Cruisin'," he gets a little more down and dirty with the B-3. Likewise, borrowing a lick or two of inspiration from Dave Samuels, he creates a lively, tropical playground on "Club Havana." The tendency of well-connected genre artists is to use the contributions of all-stars up front, let their flash dominate. Karukas, however, is more interested in letting big shots like Boney James, Eric Marienthal and Peter White simply harmonize with him or fill in a few blanks. White's lush acoustic touch -- an instantly recognizable sound if there ever was one -- is surprisingly restrained on the slow grooving "Azure Dreaming"; until a late solo, you really have to perk up your ears to hear it. Karukas uses a killer horn section only where appropriate on "Snakey Shoes," too, letting a simple trio carry the main melody and rhythm. He's changed labels, but the familiarity Karukas offers assures you that you'll know it's him again. ~ Jonathan Widran

Recorded in spring and fall 1997 at Nightowl Studios, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: Gregg Karukas (vocals, piano, electric piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, bass programming, drum programming); Ron Boustead (vocals); Ricardo Silveira (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, gut-string guitar); Peter White (guitar, acoustic guitar, gut-string guitar); Allen Hinds, Michael O'Neill (guitar, electric guitar); James Harrah (guitar); Brandon Fields (flute, saxophone); Eric Marienthal, Boney James (saxophone); Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Nick Lane (trombone); John Lewis, Dennis Chambers, John Richard Lewis, Will Kennedy , William Kennedy (drums); Luis Conte (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Don Murray ; Gregg Karukas; Ron Boustead.

Recording information: Nightowl Studios, LA, CA (1997).

Illustrator: Lou Beach.

Photographer: Neil France.

Arrangers: Gregg Karukas; Ron Boustead; Brandon Fields.

Personnel: Gregg Karukas (piano, electric piano, keyboards, programming, synthesizers, drum programming); Ron Boustead (vocals); Brandon Fields (saxophone, flute); Boney James, Eric Marienthal (saxophone); Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Nick Lane (trombone); Ricardo Silveira (nylon string & electric guitars, guitar); Peter White (nylon string guitar); Allen Hinds, Michael O'Neill (electric guitar); James Harrah (guitar); Keith Jones (bass); Dennis Chambers, Will Kennedy, John Lewis (drums); Luis Conte (percussion).