Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 01/28/1997
Guitarist
Zachary Breaux, who tragically died just a few months after recording this CD (his debut), was a potentially great guitarist with a style coming from
George Benson. In fact, his solos are generally more memorable than the purposely commercial material on this set, which largely consists of melodic, jazzy
funk jams, usually with rather basic
electronic rhythms. The cover versions of
"All Blues" (which is given simplified harmonies) and
"The Thrill Is Gone" (
Breaux's one vocal) are lightweight throwaways, but most of the other selections show off the guitarist's obvious talents as a player;
"After 2:00 AM on the East Coast" (a purely acoustic piece with a catchy melody) matches
Breaux quite successfully with fellow guitarist
Ted Dunbar. The final selection, ironically titled
"I Love This Life," is quite odd, for it has
Breaux interviewing
Dunbar about his life over an overdubbed two-guitar quintet jam (which is sometimes too loud). Among the other guest musicians are flutist
Hubert Laws, bassist
Brian Bromberg and pianist
Renee Rosnes. A diverse and sadly final statement from a fine player.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
;)
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