Chieli Minucci
has been a busy boy in his career he's played guitar on Backstreet Boys, Marc
Anthony, Jewel and Celine Dion records. If you're a true blue Smooth Jazz fan
it's hard not to have heard of Minucci. In 1982 the guitarist along with percussionist
George Jinda (Died in Jan. 11, 2001) formed Special EFX, a band who consistently
record what I call "race horse albums" - reliable, strong and with good
legs. Those legs translated to albums that never sound dated and the early ones
are still being played on Smooth Jazz radio today. Also, every Special EFX album
has at least three punchy radio tunes and Minucci uses the same formula on his
solo material. "Night Grooves" produced by the guitarist has a great
mix merging catchy grooves with touches of experimentation. So this is no syrupy
sweet malaise. Case in point the radio hit, opening track "Kickin' It Hard"
a tune that easily kicks up enough dust to make you pay attention. The warm-hearted
"New Day" has an underlying gentleness and it's a great inspirational
driving tune. One of the brilliant moments on the album is "You're my Reason,"
like a good Special EFX tune its technical chops are worthy but it's the melancholy
feel that'll grab you. I heard a George
Benson "Give Me the Night" groove in "Don't Make Me Wait"-
sans the vocals. "Without You" has an epic feel - It just builds and
builds with a Neil Schon/Journey-esque souring guitar. The seven minute tune features
a satisfying vocalize layer but may be too adventurous for radio. Minucci takes
a late night cosmic journey on "Behind the Veil." The spacey feel gives
the impression Minucci was feeling introspective when he wrote this one. Smooth
Jazz fans have learned to trust his name for interesting journeys into music and
this one fits the bill. - by John Beaudin
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