Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 06/29/1993
Run Time: 59:53
Saxophonist
Dave Koz has become one of the most successful and beloved instrumentalists of his time, and helped establish
smooth jazz as a musical force to be reckoned with. His career catapulted with 1993's
Lucky Man, one of
Koz' slickest and most commercial releases (which is not a bad thing by any means) to date. The album has an undeniably crisp and clean feel, akin to the color schemes used in the artwork. The musical styles range from funky and peppy, as in the opening
"Shakin' the Shack," "Silverlining," and the evergreen
"You Make Me Smile," to tender and sweet, as in
"Faces of the Heart," "Lucky Man," and
"Tender Is the Night," which features hypnotic vocals courtesy of
Phil Perry. A definite highlight is the unstoppable and downright electrifying
"Saxman," which features an A list who's who of influential saxophonists jamming along with
Koz. The album also utilizes
hip-hop scratches and beats on his wonderfully soulful cover of
"Don't Look Any Further" (which features former
C+C Music Factory belter
Zelma Davis) and a
gospel choir on
"Show Me the Way." Closing with his wonderful and touching rendition of
"Misty," Lucky Man is a must for any fan of contemporary and
smooth jazz, and ranks as an absolute highlight in
Dave Koz' enduring catalog.
~Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide
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