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Celebrating his tenth anniversary as an instrumental recording artist, the eclectic saxophonist took his innovative and groove intensive approach into a bright, funky, and trippy future. Because he came up at a time when smooth jazz was heading into urban territory, he was always easy to peg as a funky smooth guy -- but, as this progressive collective shows, he had something more on his mind than simply looking back at some success on The Wave-type stations. He didn't forget his roots completely, however; "Happy Hour" is an easy-grooving, midtempo retro-soul gem featuring the top producer in smooth jazz, guitarist Paul Brown. Likewise, the disco-fied thumper "Kickin' It" combines Sommers' cooler sensibilities with one of the genre's top melodic groovemasters, Brian Culbertson. Those are tasty, damn hip for smooth jazz in 2007, but Sommers was feeling more progressive on the ambient chill European club vibin' "Out of Nowhere," which is best described as liquid soul. It's curious that it took him over a minute and a half to actually touch the horn, but the track established the ambience he was after. Sommers happened to be neighbors with hot DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold, and the two combined forces for the vibrant and in-your-face, scratchy house jazz track "Vertical" and the hip-hop swinging "House Party." Elsewhere, Sommers' amped-up sax and tasty retro groove production was jazzed by R&B vocal greats Rahsaan Patterson and frequent Sommers collaborator Macy Gray. The disc was inspired by a vacation the saxman took to balmy Ibiza, where he saw some overwhelming sunsets; the tropical breeze, Spanish soul, and horn-drenched island club grooves were shining through on one of the best tracks, "The Islands." He was also in the mood for sensual Latin romance on a sweetly rendered, low-toned cover of "Besame Mucho." Anyone tired of the same old smooth jazz licks in 2007 was listening to this for fresh inspiration. ~ Jonathan Widran
Jimmy Sommers: Sebastian Arocha (keyboards); Roberto Valley (bass guitar); Tommy Organ, Herman Jackson, Lenny Castro, Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix.
Personnel: Jimmy Sommers (saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jimmy Sommers; Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix, Samantha James (vocals); Jeff Carruthers, Jeff Caruthers (guitar, keyboards, drums); Tommy Organ, Paul Rayner-Brown, Paul Brown (guitar); Micah Otano (acoustic guitar); L.A. Strings (strings); Gabe Johnson (trumpet); Herman Jackson (Fender Rhodes piano); Sebastian Arocha Morton (keyboards); Chris Colangelo, Alex Al (bass guitar); Leo Servin, Lenny Castro (percussion); Tony Maiden (wah-wah guitar); Kenneth Crouch (strings, keyboards); Doug Webb (flute); Brian Culbertson (trumpet, trombone, keyboards, drum programming); Bill Cunliffe (piano); L.A. Strings.
Audio Mixers: Micah Otano; Paul Rayner-Brown; Peter Mokran.
Audio Remixers: DJ Spinna; Angela Johnson.
Arrangers: Bill Cunliffe; Brian Culbertson.JazzTimes (p.110) - "Sommers covers all the bases....With smooth-jazz, electronica, downtempo, R&B and even classic lounge on his first project in four years."
Jeff Carruthers; Michael Tello; Jeff Caruthers; Vikter Duplaix; Jimmy Sommers; Micah Otano; Brian Culbertson; Ian Green; Paul Oakenfold; Jeff Carruthers; Michael Tello; Spacek; Vikter Duplaix; Jimmy Sommers; Micah Otano; Paul Oakenshfold; Brian Culbertson
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Sunset Collective Review
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