Richard Smith Unit - Rockin' the Boat `Audio CD`

L.A.'s pop jazz scene launched this fine and fluid guitarist, who received lots of praise throughout the next decade for his breezy yet aggressive playing style and lots of New Adult Contemporary airplay around the country for his wonderful way with a melody. Smith's follow up to Puma Creek is melodic and playful throughout and his very accessible grooves helped him keep up with like minded guitarists of the early smooth jazz era like Pat Kelley and Thom Rotella. There's a lot to admire here--the spunky urban rhythms of "South Central," the lush sweetness of "Zephyr Cove" and the funky improvs over the simple rhythms of "Take me, I'm Yo's." The most striking tunes, however, are the sassy title cut (featuring some stellar bass soloing by Brian Bromberg) and the tropical, Oriental sounding "Eastern Dreams" in which Smith the producer textures Charlie Bisharat's violin with Brian Kil;re's acoustic percussion with lots of flair. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi « less