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Since his self-titled 1990 smash debut, Dave Koz has been one of smooth jazz's greatest musicians. The saxman scored big on the radio and in retail even when he turned away from his established R&B/pop sound on 1996's Off the Beaten Path, which was done with more acoustic instruments. The Dance brings him back to the hard-hitting R&B funk sounds of that first album and its follow-up, 1993's Lucky Man. Aside from reuniting him with some of the producers who worked on his debut -- Jeff Lorber, Carl Sturken, Evan Rogers, and his brother Jeff Koz -- The Dance is a true testament to the art of collaboration. He surrounds himself with some of pop, R&B, gospel, and his own genre's greatest performers, but never lets you forget that this is a sax player's album. The swinging retro-funk/hip-hop of "Can't Let You Go (The Sha La Song)" features Luther Vandross. Modern R&B star Montell Jordan co-produces and takes lead vocal on a cover of Wham!'s "Careless Whisper" that is perhaps a bit too faithful to the original. Several members of Take 6 help Koz achieve a much more original effect on "I'll Be There." He also works with personal hero Burt Bacharach, who co-wrote and plays piano on the lovely soprano ballad "Don't Give Up." Koz ventures into Latin territory on "You Are Me, I Am You," which features a sizzling flamenco guitar solo by Marc Antoine, while another top smooth jazz guitarist, Jonathan Butler, scats and plays a vibrant acoustic harmony on "The Bright Side." Lest Koz get lost among all the partying with his pals, he does everything himself on the album's most exciting but possibly least commercial track, "Cuban Hideaway." This cut is a Tito Puente-type Latin jazz big band explosion on which he plays all the horn instruments, alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone -- 50 sax tracks in all. This disc is easily one of smooth jazz's finest moments of 1999, but imagine the possibilities had Koz put this sort of thought into creating more tracks so off the beaten path. ~ Jonathan Widran
Personnel includes: Dave Koz (soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones, percussion); Montell Jordan (vocals, programming); Luther Vandross, Kevin Owens, Evan Rogers, BeBe Winans, Mervyn Warren (vocals); Wayne Bargeron (trumpet, flugelhorn); Chris Botti (trumpet); Burt Bacharach, David Benoit (piano); Jeff Koz (piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, programming); Glen Ballard (piano, keyboards, programming); Jeff Lorber, Carl Sturken (keyboards, programming); Mark Portmann, Gregg Phillingaines (keyboards); Dean Parks, Michael Landau, Michael Thompson (acoustic & electric guitars); Bill Sharpe, Nathan East, Johm Pena (bass); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa, Luis Conte (percussion); Janet Mims, Kathy Hazzard (background vocals).
Producers include: Dave Koz, Glen Ballard, Brad Cole, Burt Bacharach, Dave Koz.
Dance Music Review
Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)    List All 6 Reviews Smooth
Very soothing. Great back ground or dinner music.
Submitted by hollyn (Milford, CT. USA) 
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 smooth as silk
Dave Koz is one of the most underrated sax players on the smooth jazz scene. His playing is tight and concise and good to the ears. His solo work is never overdone like so many jazz muscians tend to do. Just listen to his song The Dance and you will know what I mean.
Submitted by a reviewer (ambler pa.)
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Smooth Jazz at it's best
Thank you Dave for this awsome album! I don't know anyone to do it better than him! Smooth jazz at it's best!
A good glass of wine, candle light, a beautiful lady in your arms and Dave Koz in your CD player - what else should I say more...? It's just great!
Submitted by Matt (Sirnach, Switzerland)
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A mix of various tempo resulting in a great album. Tack no 1 is just an introduction, try #3, #5 and also #14.
Submitted by a reviewer (Golden, CO)
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The Dance Has Begun!
This new CD by Dave Koz is bar none his best work to date. The Dance is filled with hit after hit, and each song speaks to you in different ways. It is jam packed with incredible talent like BeBe Winans, Jonathan Butler, Marc Antoine, Luther Vandross and so many others - such incredible collaborations.
Dave Koz has struck certifiable platinum on this one - it definitely stands out as one of the best CD's I've ever had the pleasure of hearing and owning. Dave I can hear a grammy in your future for this one! Go out and get it folks, you will not be disappointed!
Submitted by a reviewer (Phoenix, Arizona)
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