Eric Darius Goin' All Out CD

 Darius goes all out
Saxman Eric Darius makes his Blue Note debut with Goin’ All Out. Darius has clearly tried to incorporate a number of different styles into the release, stretching his chops beyond the regular smooth jazz experience. The opening track ‘Just Like That’ establishes an upbeat tone for the album although I found the hand-clapped beat a little too over-powering for the bouncy sax melody. A finer balance between drum programming and sax would also have better served a cover of Ne-Yo’s ‘Because Of You’. ‘Just for the Moment’ featuring the guitar of Norman Brown, and the title track boosted by a funky bass and horn section, are both engaging songs. Mary J. Blige’s ‘Be Without You’ also fits the bill with a slower R&B groove. Industrial sounds and rhythms drive ‘Vibe With Me’ and ‘Feelin Da” Rhythm’, neither of which would be too out-of-place on a modern dance floor, especially the latter. After the adventurous two tracks preceding it, ‘Ain”t No Doubt About It” feels like somewhat of a let-down as it heads back to safer ground. ‘Unconditional’ reestablishes the rhythmic and melodic creativity of the earlier tracks however. The set concludes with ‘Breathe’ a respectable but unremarkable number. With a few albums now under his belt, Darius is starting to show more maturity and establish a unique “sound” which can only bode well for his future. -- smoothjazzreviews.net Track ratings: Just Like That 3 Because Of You 3 Just For The Moment 4 Goin’ All Out 4 Be Without You 4 Vibe With Me 4 Feelin Da’ Rhythm 4 Ain’t No Doubt About It 3 Unconditional 4 Breathe 3
Submitted by SmoothJazzReviews.net (Burlingame, CA)
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