Tom Schuman - Deep Chill (2006) FLAC

There is no doubt that Tom Schuman, best known for his longtime association with Spyro Gyra, is a talented keyboardist who could play creative and original music if he desired. There is also no doubt that the word "creative" has no place on Deep Chill, a set of derivative, unimaginative, and simply dull jazzy dance music. One can certainly imagine Ramsey Lewis performing the same commercial tracks 30 years earlier with more energy and originality. There are a few heated moments along the way with Schuman showing traces of brilliance and saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa adding a bit of soul to the music, but the throwaway R&B vocals by Angei, the obvious rhythms, and the unmemorable melodies make Deep Chill an instant cutout. Everyone involved is capable of much better.

Review by Scott Yanow