Chuck Loeb - The Love Song Collection (2007)

One of the most versatile of all East Coast contemporary jazz guitarists, Chuck Loeb was equally inspired to play screaming fusion as he was to write hip radio-ready smooth jazz hits and sweet candlelit gems. This nice collection definitely focuses on the latter, highlighting his low-key acoustic and electric playing on songs culled from his seven Shanachie releases from 1996-2005. Although the first two tracks, simple and lush renditions of the Babyface tunes "Water Runs Dry" and "Breathe Again," pale in comparison to thoughtful and soulful originals like "Blue Kiss" and "New Life" (which features labelmate saxman and song co-writer Kim Waters), they show that Loeb was ahead of the curve in smooth jazz; when the format went cover happy in the early \2000s, it was Kirk Whalum who did the first all-Babyface recording The Babyface Songbook. True to his adventurous musical sensibilities, Loeb doesn't totally play it safe when he's romantic. The chill tune "Stained Glass" (originally from eBop) is driven by otherworldly percussion textures and a slow burning swirl of electric guitar and Randy Becker's trumpet. By design, The Love Song Collection is not aimed to please fans of Loeb's wilder side, but it's a great reminder of his ability to compose beautiful melodies. ~ Jonathan Widran