Patti+austin

Highly overlooked due to what some consider inconsistent albums that range from bop to pop, Sadao Watanabe is one of the jazz geniuses, especially in Japan. This cd is one of his best pop-type recordings. All songs are written by Sadao with the exception of the ones that feature vocals: one that was a duel collaboration with Robbie Buchanan and one other that was penned by Robbie Buchanan and Diane Warren.

This third installment in the "Diggin' Deeper: The Roots of Acid Jazz" series, which collects likely funk, jazz, soul, fusion, and disco sides from the deep Columbia/Epic/Sony catalog, includes such gems as Art Blakey's "Cubano Chant" and Lalo Schifrin's "Jaws," a Shaft-meets-Frankenstein hybrid version of the "Jaws" movie theme.
This set moves and grooves from end to end, and even listeners with little interest in the acid jazz movement that surfaced some two decades after most of these tracks were recorded will find a great little alternative dance album lurking here.

Good fusion, light jazz, and instrumental pop/R&B session from a talented guitarist who's made his living by carefully editing his solos and plugging into funk dates. Gale doesn't cut loose, but shows enough to hold interest, while the arrangements and production are geared for Urban and Adult Contemporary outlets and audiences.