Search - Andy Snitzer :: Alfie's Theme

Melodic jazz

R. B. Watson | Stirling, Scotland United Kingdom | 02/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alfie's Theme seems to be available only in Japan, but worth tracking down. With numbers by Joe Zawinul ("Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" --remember Cannonball Adderley?) Sonny Rollins and Stanley Turrentine, it still has a cool late-night groove to it, with a good acoustic rhythm section and Chick Loeb on electric guitar for a couple of tracks. Not the usual 'smooth jazz' with those synthesised lush backings, but relaxed, melodic and focused small group music. Snitzer plays in the middle range of his tenor, with a lovely tone and a restrained improvisational style that never stoops to showing off or altissimo excess. Medium paced, accessible tuneful jazz-inflected music with the occasional wail. His own number "Easy Street" has a quirky foot-tapping swing to it. . . I liked this disc a lot; and it bears repeated listening, which most smooth jazz doesn't for me. I'll look for more like this from Snitzer. Persuade your partner to like jazz. Highly recommended."