Smooth jazz. Yes, I said smooth jazz. Unfortunately for many performers, this genre of music seems to have a negative connotation among many music listeners. I myself have been guilty of this thought process. It seems too light, too "easy listening". Smooth jazz actually is good, sophisticated music that relaxes and moves the soul, establishing a mood.
Elliot Levine is a keyboard player, and Urban Grooves is a wonderfully crafted album. Beginning with "Bach-a-lism," a variation by Levine on a piece by Bach, the album ranges from classic 60's jazz staples to modern soul. Out of the twelve songs, six are his covers of fairly famous songs. He treats these with respect yet accomplishes the feat of making them his own also. Jimmy Smith's classic "The Cat," Stevie Wonder's "As," and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" are recognizable but distinctly different. Instead of the great Gaye flowing through the song with his voice, Levine substitutes his keyboard and attains a similar effect as the sultry song grows on you and his playing becomes more impassioned.
However, the true mark of an artist is his own work and what he creates. Levine does well. His songs reflect his understanding of groove and his optimistic outlook toward life. His hooks are effective and the rest of his songs reveal his tendency to experiment a little with the tune. "L.A. Groove" with Johnny Lang is perhaps his best original, swinging with Lang's saxophone and Levine matching his enthusiasm and vigor with his own keyboard playing.
He creates a good blend of sound, lush at times, and his point to capture the feel of the city is attained. You can almost see yourself sitting on a fire escape looking out over the city, or walking down the street on your way out on a Friday night.
I didn't enjoy his slower songs as much, because it was his use of bass and funky grooves that originally grabbed my attention in his more up tempo songs. His use of sampled Miles Davis playing in "Kind of Miles" is superb. And his supporting case is strong and able throughout the album.
Played across the nation on radio and here in his hometown on WDCU, Levine should continue to be successful. Check him out.