Jeff Lorber - Philly Style
Narada Jazz

Jeff Lorber may not look it but he's one of those granddads of Smooth Jazz - you know the type that kind of helps shape the direction of the genre without demanding a hero cookie. In 1976 Lorber recorded his first album 'Jeff Lorber Fusion' long before the music had a tag or slogan and long before being genre specific meant anything. Back then your music was played on radio because it was good not because you fit in a specific cookie cutter scheme of a particular radio station. Lorber says that first album came to fruition quite by accident when he was asked to help one of his students in the studio for the first time. "When I got into the studio I had an immediate real knack for helping people," he says. The engineer took notice and encourage Lorber to record his own project and so started a career that produced some of the most innovative, catchy, funky Smooth Jazz out there. Lorber is also credited for discovering Sax great Dave Koz and producing the likes of Kenny G and legend Herb Alpert. On his latest 'Philly Style' Jeff Lorber is coming back home. Named after his home town Philadelphia's love for pretzel and mustard and featuring a delicious example on the cover Lorber delivers a full-throttle driving - tunes album. This is the album to get if you think Smooth Jazz is becoming too homogenized. Interestingly producer Steve Dubin (Peter White, Richard Elliot, and Najee) went to the same high school and grew up a few miles from Lorber but the two only met a few years ago. Philly Style is an expression of Smooth Jazz on the go. The opening track 'Under Wraps' has a bluesy confidence and a hell of a great horn section. Richard Elliot's Sax coupled with Lorber's bouncy piano chops gives the title song a one - two punch. This follow up to the successful 'Kickin' It' (also produced by Dubin) proves that Lorber digs a little deeper on each album, 'Philly' has an Inspirational soaring quality that doesn't hit you over the noggin too hard! My favorite track 'When She Smiles' is a throwback of the New Age/Jazzy side of the Smooth Jazz format and features emotional richness and tenderness that will stick with you - It's truly a beautiful song. Jeff Lorber has come back to dance with his history of Blues, Jazz, funk and Pop in Philadelphia and maybe have a pretzel or two. This is a wonderful album with no filler - I say play it loud and pass the mustard!   
by John Beaudin

The "Wave Fave" for Monday June 30th

Jeff Lorber-Philly Style (Narada)

Jeff grew up in the city known for it's distinctive musical style and this latest offering re-unites him with producer Steve Dubin, also a Philly native. Even though they went to the same high school and played in the same clubs they never crossed paths until Jeff hired Steve to work on "Kicking It" This disc continues the fun, funky, retro-soul grooves that truly defines "Philly Style" There's more acoustic piano here and Jeff still uses his trademark Rhodes for underpinning harmonies, but his ivory solo's are what make the work shine. Richard Elliot has a guest shot but it's more about Jeff and Steve celebrating their "Phillyness"

Bob Farrow
Host-The Smooth Jazz Breakfast
Wave 94.7fm

Other Reviews by Bob Farrow