- July 20, 2005 - I don't know if there is an industry award for the best smooth jazz cover version of the year but if there isn't then there should be. This being the case one brand new tune that deserves to pick up the 2005 accolade is the cover of the Jagger Richards, Rolling Stones smash, 'Miss You' by Danny Federici from his second album, 'Out Of A Dream'.

However, let's be clear on a couple of things. 'Out Of A Dream' is no ordinary follow up recording and Danny Federici is no ordinary musician attempting to make good as a solo artist.

Danny Federici is in fact one of the founding members of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and has now performed with them for over thirty years. His keyboards have been the backdrop to some of their greatest songs and its his organ you can hear on the classic anthem 'Born To Run', his piano playing on the blockbuster 'Born in the USA' and his accordion that sounds like a carousel on the sleepy beach serenade '4th of July Asbury Park'.

Before and throughout his tenure in the E Street Band Federici composed many instrumental pieces but never got around to recording them. He started to put that right with his debut album 'Flemington', a project that established him as a player in the smooth jazz arena. Now, with 'Out Of A Dream', due out on V2 Records on July 25, Federici, in collaboration with musical director and producer Mike Cates, looks set to consolidate his initial success. Cates has recording credits that includes playing sax for Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Al Green, Barry White and the Rolling Stones so it's no surprise to find that it was Cates who talked Federici into covering The Stones number 'Miss You'. It is also his saxophone that laces the track with standout playing. 'Miss You' has already been identified as the first track to be lifted for radio and is being picked up by stations across the country at a rapid rate. It's set to be the tune that smooth jazz fans will groove to in their cars throughout the summer.

That said 'Out Of A Dream' is not a CD built entirely around 'Miss You'. 'Out Of A Dream' comes straight from the heart of Danny Federici. His intrigue with art, dreams, cinema and the newness of the day, combined with his love for his wife and children, has provided the foundation for ten tracks that stand and can be judged on their own considerable merits. The mix is further enriched by the quality of the collaborating musicians who collectively sport an impressive array of credits. Percussionist Daniel de Los Reyes (James Taylor, Sting and Ricky Martin), Jon Johnson on guitar (Earth Wind and Fire), Juan Van Dunk on bass (The Police, KC and The Sunshine Band) all play a part while Todd Parsnow (Bootsy Collins) adds his chugging guitar on 'Miss You'. The combination makes 'Out Of A Dream' something way above the average.

Taking the last track first, Danny Federici adds a second cover with his version of the much recorded Bob Dylan composition 'Knocking On Heavens Door'. In common with the best of 'last track' selections the production manages to engender a nice build quality that makes this the perfect choice as a live gig play out number.

'Light Is Calling' is a super laid back tune with an irresistible and hypnotic hook while 'Two Oceans' is quite simply a quality ultra smooth example of top class smooth jazz piano playing. With 'Maya', Federici brings a Grusin like orchestral quality to this love song written for and named after his wife. 'Venus's Pearl', has a nice full sound, a catchy rhythm and wailing sax that all combine to provide a lovely feel.

With 'Fragments Of An Afternoon' an image is immediately conjured of late in the day New York, heat rising from the sidewalk and people going about their business, all observed from, perhaps, the window of a Starbucks coffee shop. 'Green Apples', written by Danny for his kids, is a deconstructed piece of work where simplicity is a virtue and the title track finds more superior Mike Cates sax playing and a number that is without question classic late night smooth jazz in the making.

Look out for 'Out Of A Dream', it just could be one of the sensations of the smooth jazz year. - by Denis Poole. July 2005.

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