Jeff Lorber | Worth Waiting For
Jeff Lorber | Worth Waiting For
Venerable and Contemporary Jazz pioneering keyboardist/writer/arranger/producer/session musician guru, and sometimes guitarist, Jeff Lorber, returned on the scene on then called PolyGram Label Group, subsidiary label, Verve Records in 1991, after a 5 year hiatus with "Worth Waiting For". Prior to this recording, his last project was 1986's Warner Bros. Records released,"Private Passion" (Reissued on CD via Wounded Bird Records). That particular album featured the R&B hits "Facts Of Love" & "Back In Love" featuring lead vocals by Karyn White (Of the L.A. & Babyface produced hit "Superwoman" fame) and one time Tower Of Power lead singer, Michael Jeffries.
Opening this 11 song jazzy/funk opus, is the upbeat & funky "Rain Song". This party themed throwdown features then label mate, the late Art Porter on alto sax, session stalwarts JR Robinson on drums, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, Paul Jackson, Jr. on guitar, and Alec Milstein on electric bass. Predominant instruments and performances on this track comes courtesy of Art's tasty and groovy sax parts, and Jeff's acoustic piano and keyboard wizardry. The remaining rhythm players do more than their part to keep the pace groovy and funk flowed.
"The Underground", features all of the previously mentioned musicians, but this time around, Gary Meek handles soprano sax duties. It starts off with a Chicago house like dance groove, then shifts immediately in a funk mode, then back a dance/jazz pattern. Once again, Jeff's acoustic piano fever charged solos and fills is what make this a pleasure to listen to. Couple that with Gary's performance, Jeff's bass synth undertones, Paulinho's masterful percussion work, and some Latin-esque melodies thrown in, you'll have a classic on your hands.
"Yellowstone", Jeff slowed the tempo a tad at first in the intro, then segue into a mellow, smooth & funky pace. AOR superstar pianist Bruce Hornsby lends his talents throughout this Smooth Jazz radio staple (At least here in NYC it was). The same aforementioned rhythm section remains intact, and pretty much throughout the album. You'll be serenaded by Gary Meek on sax, along with Jeff & Bruce sharing solo piano duties.
"Punta del Este", you'll hear African/Brazilian like vocal chants co sung by Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel, and bassist Alec Milstein. It's easy listening stylings and Gary's fantastic soprano sax, Paulinho's shaker, along with Jeff's beautifully performed acoustic piano and light synthesizers, will make you feel like you're cruising along Cali's Pacific Coast Highway as the sun is setting.
"Lost With You", another club house grooved banger, features the vocal talent of Eric Jordan. Jeff's bouncy bass program, organ fills, will sure to have one scurrying to the jazz dance floor (If one evens exists, but if not, make one of your own) ... and you will once it comes on. At one point in the song, you'll hear Jeff's acoustic piano and Eric's George Benson vocalizing blend very well together. It's a track one would not expect from Jeff, but it worked musically to his favor here. This particular song was remixed for the clubs that SLAMS even harder ! Now tell me, how many jazz artists remixed a song of theirs for the clubs at that time ? Possibly a few, but not a lot.
Album title track, "Worth Waiting For", is classic Lorber at his finest ! Check out the jazzed up R&B, fast fingered performed Fender Rhodes solos, bass synth droned parts of Jeff. Featured here is the then rising star in his own right, Dave Koz. His great alto sax performance, with the steady back beat of JR, and the dead on percussion work of Paulinho, it's certainly one of the best songs on the album.
"High Wire" , fast, FUNKY, and furious ! Once again, you have Dave Koz on the alto sax keeping the funk flowing. Jeff's fancy organ fretwork, and piano adds a nice sounding aural soundscape. The rhythm section ? What else can I say ? .... TIGHT ! TIGHT ! TIGHT ! Live instrumentation performed as a unit, DONE RIGHT !!
"Wavelength" , features another seasoned vet on guitar, Buzz Feiten (Of the famed Feiten/Larson Band via "You'll Be The Fool Tonight" classic). This song is yet another classic Lorber sensual mellow & mid tempo'd undertaking. You'll hear chords structures, though not exact, from his previous Arista R&B recordings, but done in a Smooth Jazz context. Jeff killed it on a Hammond B3 solo, or at least on a B3 programmed patch, it kicks ! Think Jeff's "Above The Clouds" from his classic 1982 recording "It's A Fact" ..... but funked up !
"Columbus Avenue" (Of which there's actually a street called here in NYC), harkens me back to the time I lived in that area on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. You'll hear Paul Jackson, Jr's signature guitar licks, and once again Art Porter's wonderful soprano sax work, and a killer Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano solo from Jeff, along with great sounding synthesizer fills.
The remaining two tracks, "Do What It Takes" featuring the great Lee Ritenour on an excellent nylon acoustic guitar solo, along with Jeff's, I suspect, electric piano solo during the last several bars, and the funk fueled Paulinho da Costa performed "quica" undertoned, "Jazzery", completes what'll we'll hear pretty much throughout his '90's output, and that is live in the studio jammed, few overdubs, one or two take recordings, something of which we don't hear anymore in the music of today.
Thankfully, Jeff is still doing his thing, recording and touring relentlessly, and it shows very clearly on 2008's Peak/Concord recording "I Heard That". Check him out live when he play your town, or country for that matter ! You'll walk out of that venue feeling invigorated and wanting to tell your co workers the next day at work, "Man !""Girl !", I went to see Jeff Lorber last night, and he and his band kicked major ass !!"..... and they'll more than likely in turn tell you, "I HEARD THAT !!!"
... or
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 12/15/2010 10:44 AM 
Categories: Cjazz, Jazz, Videos
Tags: Piano Music Videos
Categories: Cjazz, Jazz, Videos
Tags: Piano Music Videos
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