Lovelife

Album review

Lovelife, the title of Jimmy Sommers' second recording on his own label, Gemini Records, under license to Higher Octave Jazz, has obvious romantic connotations fitting for a saxman who made People magazine's list of Top 50 Bachelors in 2002. Yet that wasn't the concept on his mind when he named the recording after the throbbing retro-funk tune he co-wrote with eccentric, raspy voiced soul-rock superstar Macy Gray. It's about his intense day-to-day passion for making music and living to the fullest. With the smooth jazz/urban adult contemporary success of his 2001 hit 360 Urban Groove, who could blame him? The accent here is on thump, groove, and irresistibly soulful melodies most of the time, with a few softer romantic moments that hint at some deeper introspection. Last time out, he had a hit with Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown," and he mines another chestnut from that era in Kool & the Gang's "Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)," which swings heavily under Sommers' rich sax textures. He invites some other soul celebs to the studio, most notably Rahsaan Patterson, who sings the catchy opener, "What Am I Gonna Do." Yet the most notable and interesting collaboration is the passionate romance "Why Must I," which blends his horn textures around Chris Botti's trademark sly trumpet harmonies. The rest of the time, he's either rolling high and funky ("Ride Ride Ride," "Havana Nights") or staying up late, candlelight glowing in the distance, exchanging night rhythms with his dance partner ("Grant Park").
© Jonathan Widran /TiVo