Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 04/27/2004
By the mid-'80s,
Jeff Lorber placed improvisation on the back-burner and took a highly commercial, radio-oriented approach that offered little evidence of his skills as a soloist. But early in his career, the electric keyboardist specialized in very accessible, yet free-spirited and creative, jazz/funk/R&B stressing improvisation and spontaneity.
Water Sign, one of
Lorber's strongest dates, unites his working group of 1979 (which includes
Danny Wilson on electric bass and
Dennis Bradford on drums) with high-quality soloists like
Freddie Hubbard (flugelhorn),
Joe Farrell (flute) and
Dennis Springer (tenor and soprano sax). Whether digging into the gritty jazz/funk grooves of
"Tune 88," "Toad's Place" and
"Right There" or a piece as charming as
"Sparkle," the players don't hesitate to stretch out and say what needs to be said. Unfortunately, a CD as appealing as
Water Sign reminds us how much
Lorber (whose influences include
George Duke,
Chick Corea and
Herbie Hancock) would later deteriorate.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
;)
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