Search - Jeff Lorber :: He Had a Hat

Smoothjazz.com Review

Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 04/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Have you ever dropped by one of your favorite restaurants, and then just been blown away by some delectable new recipe on the menu? You thought you knew what to expect, but this turned out to be such an extraordinary surprise that you couldn't wait to tell all your friends. That's exactly how I'm feeling about composer, producer, and keyboard legend Jeff Lorber's HE HAD A HAT. It's fresh. It's different. It's varied. It's astoundingly good! From the first lush chords of the inspiring "Anthem for a New America" to the last reverberations of the fusion-funk "Burn Brightly," this album, produced by Bobby Colomby (BS&T), is incredible in its depth, energy, and organic ensemble work, featuring a true who's who of contemporary jazz (Randy Brecker, Chris Botti, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Hubert Laws, Paul Jackson, Jr., Russell Malone, Brian Bromberg, and Dave Weckl are just some of the players). This is one of those projects that absolutely inspires me with its creativity and power. To quote Jeff, "I'm making a quantum shift on HE HAD A HAT because I felt it was time to shake things up a bit...the timing is perfect because I get the sense that a lot of people are looking for something unique and different out there." Yes we are, Jeff, and you have magnificently delivered what I predict right now will be one of the best, if not the best, contemporary jazz albums of 2007! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN"

Left Coast cool...or Left Coast drool?

Richard T. Hall | USA | 06/14/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ah, L.A. The sun, the PCH, the beach, the smog, the gridlock. There is something about So. Cali just mellows out jazz musicians. And JL is no exception. Still, its nice he's stepping outside of his smooth jazz nonsense and playing up to his potential. But not too much though. The bebop and Brazilian offering are pretty much filler. But I hear traces of the old JL Fusion sound in cuts like the title track, Orchid, and Hudson. The layered piano/flute lines are classic Lorber. But depending on what side of the jazz pendulum you lean, you may or may not like 'He had a Hat'. I see it as JL attempting a step in the right direction...that is, playing and writing at a level commensurate with his formidable chops. If only he can keep it up and not fall into another smooth jazz DULL-DRUM, he may finally take his rightful place with other progressive jazz keyboardists such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dave Grusin, George Duke, and Bob James."

Superb! Lorber's best playing ever!

Anne A | WI USA | 04/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know about you, but every time I hear there's a new Jeff Lorber CD, great anticipation builds as I wonder what he'll do next to top the previous recording. Without fail, in my humble opinion, on each new CD, Jeff brings us to the new cutting edge of musical ideas, with fresh, inventive performances, A-List players, top quality production, and masterful compositions. The extraordinary new CD titled "He Had A Hat" continues the adventure.



"He Had A Hat" is an incredibly original, entertainingly diverse, cohesive body of music. On 13 tracks, styles range from contemporary jazz to hard bop and plenty of Lorber's signature funky fusion vibe. The All Star lineup bring their best playing game to the project, with excellent performances by Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg, Chris Botti, Randy Brecker, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Hubert, Laws, Alex Al, Vinnie Colaiuta, Russell Malone, Paul Brown, Dave Weckl, Bob Sheppard, Paul Jackson Jr., Abraham Laboriel Jr., Tom Scott and the Blood, Sweat & Tears horn section.



Featured vocalist Eric Benét sings the 1971 Bill Withers' classic "Grandma's Hands." Paula Cole duets with Benét on her original song "The Other Side of the Heart" written with Lorber for the album. Powerhouse horn ensembles are arranged by the masterful Tom Scott. Lorber himself takes a turn at arranging for a horn section on "Super Fusion Unit". World famous orchestrator Jeremy Lubbock fills out the lush sound experience on "Anthem for a New America."



With Tom Scott's killer horn arrangements, "All Most Blues" harkens back to jazz of the early `60s reflecting a Miles Davis mood. Lorber indulges in some "BC Bop" inspired by the chord changes of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation." Featuring Randy Brecker's hot trumpet, "Surreptitious" shows off that tight horn section and Lorber's incredible keyboards, pulling off a cool Herbie Hancock vibe.



The CD features Lorber's best playing ever - it is free, open, inventive, expressive, adventurous, unencumbered, and soulful. He attributes the expanse of his playing to the collaborative process involved in creating this album. Mixed by Paul Brown and produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears original drummer Bobby Colomby. The music sounds more spontaneous. Everything was recorded live with very organic instruments, not very much synthesis at all. It sounds like a lot of attention has been paid to harmony - brilliantly done throughout the album!



On "Orchid," Chris Botti composed and creates a compelling mood performing on trumpet. Lorber says Botti came up with the melody on the spot. In fact, Lorber previously worked with Bobby Colomby on two of Chris Botti's groundbreaking CDs. That high level of excellence is what Colomby and Lorber strove to achieve on "He Had A Hat." Mission accomplished, Gentlemen! Something very special is happening here. Can you say "Grammy"?!!

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