The Clayton/Scott Group - August
Indie

Here's a cornucopia of near-flawless Smooth Jazz. This Toronto duo thinks big and delivers an album with bracing slickness. You know the kind that has a distinct flavor to soothe the musical palette. It's Jazz that's not too out there kind of a cross section of Jazz and Smooth Jazz. Driven heavily by melody and great piano chops from Jim Clayton and the smart guitar hooks of Andrew Scott August shares a rich passion for a genre on the move in Canada. The cozy satisfying 'Black Horse' is a stand out and the delicate yet robust 'Dukish' is clean and compelling. David Benoit and Larry Carlton fans will love the title tune with its quietly hypnotic feel good melody. Though mostly instrumental there are three track featuring lead vocals from Michael Dunston and though strong interestingly they don't hold the same weight as the rest of the album. Jazz purists may not run out and buy this one but maybe everyone else will.
- by John Beaudin

Read our interview with Jim Clayton & Andrew Scott

Check out the official Clayton Scott Group site