Amazon.com Recorded in 1998 at Sculler's Jazz Club, in his hometown of Boston, this live set by contemporary jazz veteran Walter Beasley will hit the spot for fans of Grover Washington and smooth-era George Benson. Leading an energetic quintet, Beasley plays pretty, rippling melodies over refined funk and soul grooves. A fluent soloist on sopranino and alto saxophones, he mostly avoids the showy superficial licks of many contemporary jazz stars. As a vocalist, he is an equally reliable renderer of soul classics, as witness his pleasing renditions of "Do You Wanna Dance" and "Never Can Say Goodbye." Even if this material is seven years old, it holds its own among recent releases in the genre. --Lloyd Sachs