Customer Reviews

Crossing the Line

5 star:		(3)
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This CD provides great listening music for all ages. It has enough different flavors of music on one disc, that you don't get bored listening to the same type of songs. This CD can make you stand up and dance and also make you sit back and enjoy the soft sounds with your friends or over a candle light dinner with your significant other. Anyway you look at it, it is absolutely awesome, there's not much more I can say.

John Polito's debut recording is a fascinating blend of musical genres, mixing jazz, Latin, new age, and classical styles into a complex portrait of what promises to be an important emerging artist. Backed by an impressive ensemble that includes Doug Lunn on bass, Ramiro Belgardt on cello, and Charlie Bisharat on violin (only one track, darn it!) John Polito's composing and playing ranges are amazing. "Euphoria" and "Aurora Alegre" will have you up and dancing, while the gorgeous "Union" and "Heaven Knows" will elicit gentle sighs. I often find that albums I like immediately wear thin after a few listens, but this one just keeps getting better. The music is immediately accessible, but complex enough to keep unfolding as you get deeper into the music. My favorite pieces are those with Polito's piano and Ramiro Belgardt's cello. "Union" and "Heaven Knows" are in a classical/new agey style. Cello and piano is such a sensuous combination, and these two pieces bring out the best of both instruments and their expressiveness. The album is worth the price for these two songs alone, but the rest of the album is also great! "Time and Space" is almost ambient in the floating feel of Polito's piano and synth. Belgardt enters with his soulful cello, giving the piece a smooth and soothing solidity. "Aurora Alegre" is the most "Latin" of this collection, and is a toe-tapper. Charlie Bisharat gives his signature violin playing to "In Motion", probably the most abstract of the pieces. Very free, with an improvised feeling, this would be a great piece to see performed live. "Walk in the Clouds" reminds me a bit of Suzanne Ciani, who gave her endorsement for this CD. "Home" is a gentle, cozy piano solo that closes the CD in a very peaceful way. Highly recommended!

If you like David Benoit, you'll love this CD. It's very classy contemporary jazz. Every song has a different mood, and each one is amazing. There is not one song that is less than astonishing, which is pretty unusual. This CD is really great to listen to when you want to relax or be inspired.