Tommy Jones - Tide Pool (1998)

When a debut smooth jazz album is as alternately brilliant and maddeningly mundane as Tommy Jones' Tide Pool, some recommendations on what to leave in and out next time are in order. His vibrant classical guitar languishes too often in the service of pleasant and well produced but ultimately bland pop covers ("Tears in Heaven," "Somewhere out There"). Yet it crackles on more challenging Brazilian and traditional jazz pieces like Luiz Bonfá's brisk and snappy "Morning of Carnival" (featuring an almost baritone timbre from guest tenor player Boots Randolph) and "Take Five," which he explores down paths more colorful than most versions. Since "Going Through the Changes," the jumpin' blues/jazz boogie which showcases Jones' witty repartee with pianist Bill Altvater, is the one tune here that Jones wrote, more of his original material would be a grand idea. Another concept that's a keeper is inviting all-star guitar pals like Larry Carlton and Chet Atkins to play. Rather than just use them for marquee value, Jones lets them act as harmonic counterpoint, either in note-for-note duet or as they trade off verses; on "Push 7," Jones balances his tight steel string with Carlton's potent electric lines, while Atkins' moaning Resonator Guitar notes call out subtly behind the warm tones of Jones' home instrument.