Customer Reviews

He Had a Hat

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Have you ever dropped by one of your favorite restaurants, and then just been blown away by some delectable new recipe on the menu? You thought you knew what to expect, but this turned out to be such an extraordinary surprise that you couldn't wait to tell all your friends. That's exactly how I'm feeling about composer, producer, and keyboard legend Jeff Lorber's HE HAD A HAT. It's fresh. It's different. It's varied. It's astoundingly good! From the first lush chords of the inspiring "Anthem for a New America" to the last reverberations of the fusion-funk "Burn Brightly," this album, produced by Bobby Colomby (BS&T), is incredible in its depth, energy, and organic ensemble work, featuring a true who's who of contemporary jazz (Randy Brecker, Chris Botti, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Hubert Laws, Paul Jackson, Jr., Russell Malone, Brian Bromberg, and Dave Weckl are just some of the players). This is one of those projects that absolutely inspires me with its creativity and power. To quote Jeff, "I'm making a quantum shift on HE HAD A HAT because I felt it was time to shake things up a bit...the timing is perfect because I get the sense that a lot of people are looking for something unique and different out there." Yes we are, Jeff, and you have magnificently delivered what I predict right now will be one of the best, if not the best, contemporary jazz albums of 2007! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

Have you ever had a CD that you started to play and just felt like it was strictly average, only to play it a second time when you are in tune to find out that the music was really good?

That is what this CD did for me. I did not fully appreciate it the first time I played it but then I had a chance to not be distracted and the music was simply awesome.

From start to finish this CD takes you through several transitions from Smooth Jazz to Be Bop to Old school and back to Smooth Jazz. And boy does it have a flair. Jeff has outdone himself this time. The CD is really really well constructed and well put together. It is like fine wine that gets better everytime you hear it.

I've followed this guy since day one and even attended the same music school, mainly because he (and other great players) went there. It used to be that the name Jeff Lorber caused everyone to immediately imagine flames coming off the keyboards. On his earlier albums, which I still listen to A LOT, Jeff would simply sit down at the keyboards then "play his butt off". If you like funky fusion and you haven't heard his 25+ year-old Wizard Island album, then you haven't really heard funky fusion. There were no computers or other gimmicks. It was just smokin' music complete with rippin' solos. Kenny G. was the Sax player. But believe me, it wasn't the watered down Kenny G. that you're likely familiar with.

But, something happened. I guess it was the "smooth jazz" revolution and/or possibly all of the production projects that Jeff does. The fiery performances were replaced by very safe, very diatonic, and in my opinion, very vanilla background music. As a result, I stopped buying Jeff's records, which is something that I never thought that I'd do. But, it seemed that he simply lost his chops or at least felt that playing a be-bob line or a hip diminished scale pattern would get him kicked off smooth radio. My hero was gone. No more solos to transcribe. No more fire.

Maybe the popularity of satellite radio has changed this. I don't know. But, I do know that Jeff can still "play his butt off" as he demonstrates so on this CD. Sure, he still has some of the watered down stuff in there, but he's included enough heat to cause me to immediately pick up a copy and start jammin' again with the old Jeff.

Jeff, there are a lot of us out here who simply want to hear you play without holding back anymore. Hopefully, the success of this recording will help reinforce the validity of what I'm saying. I haven't been this excited about a Jeff Lorber release in years.

I have been listening to Jeff Lorber every since the late 70's and he has come full circle now in the world of Jazz. Back then as with this current release "He had a Hat" Jeff shows his great versatility and musical ability. If you are a modern jazz lover with some old school longings, this project should bring a smile to your heart as it did mine.

From Fusion to Funk to Blues to Be-Bop to Contemporary to Cool to Smooth and back to Fusion, Jeff puts it all together. The title cut and `Burn Brightly' are straight up Jeff Lorber funky fusion jams. On the jazzy side of things, old school jazz enthusiasts will enjoy `All Most Blues' and `BC Bop'. Others will groove with the Up-Tempo `Hudson' and `Surreptitious' (It is not a secret anymore Jeff). For those in a mellow mood take note of the smooth sound of 'Orchid' and the laid back vocals of Paula Cole and Eric Benet on `The Other side of the Heart'.

Jeff Lorber and producer Bob Colomby assembles an outstanding group of musicians for the project that includes trumpeter Chris Botti, bassists Brian Bromberg and Alex Al, guitarists Paul Jackson Jr, Russell Malone and few licks from Paul Brown (and some great mixing work). In addition, there is the saxophone entourage of Kirk Whalum, Tom Scott, Gerald Albright, Bob Sheppard and Randy Brecker, the horn section of Blood Sweat and Tears, flutist Hubert Laws, percussionist Lenny Castro and a host of talented drummers.

You will enjoy this collaboration and the bonus tract `Deep into the Night', Hats off to you Jeff! ~the JazzeOne

I don't know about you, but every time I hear there's a new Jeff Lorber CD, great anticipation builds as I wonder what he'll do next to top the previous recording. Without fail, in my humble opinion, on each new CD, Jeff brings us to the new cutting edge of musical ideas, with fresh, inventive performances, A-List players, top quality production, and masterful compositions. The extraordinary new CD titled "He Had A Hat" continues the adventure.

"He Had A Hat" is an incredibly original, entertainingly diverse, cohesive body of music. On 13 tracks, styles range from contemporary jazz to hard bop and plenty of Lorber's signature funky fusion vibe. The All Star lineup bring their best playing game to the project, with excellent performances by Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg, Chris Botti, Randy Brecker, Tom Scott, Kirk Whalum, Hubert, Laws, Alex Al, Vinnie Colaiuta, Russell Malone, Paul Brown, Dave Weckl, Bob Sheppard, Paul Jackson Jr., Abraham Laboriel Jr., Tom Scott and the Blood, Sweat & Tears horn section.

Featured vocalist Eric Benét sings the 1971 Bill Withers' classic "Grandma's Hands." Paula Cole duets with Benét on her original song "The Other Side of the Heart" written with Lorber for the album. Powerhouse horn ensembles are arranged by the masterful Tom Scott. Lorber himself takes a turn at arranging for a horn section on "Super Fusion Unit". World famous orchestrator Jeremy Lubbock fills out the lush sound experience on "Anthem for a New America."

With Tom Scott's killer horn arrangements, "All Most Blues" harkens back to jazz of the early `60s reflecting a Miles Davis mood. Lorber indulges in some "BC Bop" inspired by the chord changes of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation." Featuring Randy Brecker's hot trumpet, "Surreptitious" shows off that tight horn section and Lorber's incredible keyboards, pulling off a cool Herbie Hancock vibe.

The CD features Lorber's best playing ever - it is free, open, inventive, expressive, adventurous, unencumbered, and soulful. He attributes the expanse of his playing to the collaborative process involved in creating this album. Mixed by Paul Brown and produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears original drummer Bobby Colomby. The music sounds more spontaneous. Everything was recorded live with very organic instruments, not very much synthesis at all. It sounds like a lot of attention has been paid to harmony - brilliantly done throughout the album!

On "Orchid," Chris Botti composed and creates a compelling mood performing on trumpet. Lorber says Botti came up with the melody on the spot. In fact, Lorber previously worked with Bobby Colomby on two of Chris Botti's groundbreaking CDs. That high level of excellence is what Colomby and Lorber strove to achieve on "He Had A Hat." Mission accomplished, Gentlemen! Something very special is happening here. Can you say "Grammy"?!!

If you are in to any kind of jazz you get the whole smorgasboard here. From smooth to bebop, it's all here. If Flipside side was nominated for a grammy then this one should easly win. Yes for some of you more die hard Lorber fans it's not what you traditionally hear from Jeff but again what ever the mood it's all here. I love the direction with the orchestra and horns and vocals. Some of you Lorber fans will have to listen more than once to be impressed but it's all here waiting for you to listen. Again Jeff well done you're the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, L.A. The sun, the PCH, the beach, the smog, the gridlock. There is something about So. Cali just mellows out jazz musicians. And JL is no exception. Still, its nice he's stepping outside of his smooth jazz nonsense and playing up to his potential. But not too much though. The bebop and Brazilian offering are pretty much filler. But I hear traces of the old JL Fusion sound in cuts like the title track, Orchid, and Hudson. The layered piano/flute lines are classic Lorber. But depending on what side of the jazz pendulum you lean, you may or may not like 'He had a Hat'. I see it as JL attempting a step in the right direction...that is, playing and writing at a level commensurate with his formidable chops. If only he can keep it up and not fall into another smooth jazz DULL-DRUM, he may finally take his rightful place with other progressive jazz keyboardists such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dave Grusin, George Duke, and Bob James.

Jeff shows his many different styles of music which makes this album a treat to hear. I would highly recommend this to any smooth jazz afficienado.

If music ever gets any better than Jeff Lorber's HE HAD A HAT . . . I would certainly like to hear it. I love everything that Lorber records . . . from his down 'n' dirty hungry-young-man fusion days in the '70s to his current living-the-good-life in Southern Cal smooth-jazz days of now. It's all good!

This is why I particularly recommend HE HAD A HAT . . . it is the BEST of BOTH WORLDS. This newest album by Lorber is not only some of the best Lorber music ever recorded . . . it's some of the BEST MUSIC . . . jazz, rock, pop, soul, or otherwise . . . that's ever been released. Period.

Almost like his days with The Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lorber seems experimental and hungry again . . . ready to prove something musically to the world . . . and the listener gets to win the lottery.

This album is an instant classic, and I wonder if Lorber's move to Blue Note might be part of the reason for the excellence as it's almost as if the typical commercial restraints have been lifted from this gifted performer, allowing him to spread his wings even farther.

As a result of what seems to be newfound freedom, VERSATILITY is the rule on this album. BUT don't let that scare you. In the case of this album, versatility is GENIUS. Lots of different music styles are present, and through them all Lorber remains in rare form, 100% uncompromising. He is doing the album he wants to hear . . . and in doing so, his music hits a whole new level of greatness.

Out of the gate, "Anthem for a New America" warms things up with a more traditional smooth-jazz Lorber as he kicks off the album with a tasty smooth joint, but it isn't long before Lorber is taking things to a whole new funky level with the title track "He Had a Hat," a gorgeous, melodic but VERY COOL song that is not only as good as Lorber gets . . . it's as good as music ever gets. This song will melt your heart.

"Grandma's Hands" delivers a really nice gospel/jazz vocal, before another musical gem, "Surreptitious," kicks the album into high gear! From the first bars, it's crystal clear that this song is not wimpy smooth jazz for the masses. "Surreptitious" is Jeff Lorber at his most uncompromising - bringing to mind classic Jeff Lorber Fusion tracks, but tighter, more updated and evolved. The groove is hard, very tight, and the rapid-fire melody line uplifts as it floats along to lush jazz changes.

Then "All Most Blues," gives us a whole new Lorber . . . SWING. And if you think Lorber can't cut it composing and playing mainstream jazz, this song proves you wrong! Next "Orchid" delivers an infectious, lush, jazz-ballad that surrounds your senses and puts you in a deep trance, before we're back to yet more mainstream jazz, the excellent eye-opening hard-swing of "BC Bop."

"The Other Side of The Heart" serves up a R&B ballad with the liquid-smooth voice of Eric Benet, and then the CD hits yet another AMAZING HIGH with "Hudson." This song is amazing! Like "He Had a Hat" and "Surreptitious," "Hudson" is 100% CLASSIC LORBER, proving that this performer has a profound gift at creating music that uplifts the spirit. More excellent melodic up-tempo jazz-funk follows with "Super Fusion Unit."

Lorber has always been a master of the swing-funk groove, and "Eye Tunes" delivers Lorber swing-funk at its best. The album hits a more somber vibe with "Requiem for Gandalf" before taking us out on . . . yep, you guessed it . . . another instant Lorber classic, "Burn Brightly," a slick, high-octane salsa-funk tune that does exactly what the title promises.

When it comes to composing and performing contemporary jazz, Jeff Lorber has an extraordinary gift. He's not just a great smooth-jazz artist, this guy should be ranked proudly among the jazz elite. I would easily place Lorber among the esteemed ranks of cats like Miles, Coltrane, Bird, Thelonius, Brubeck, Chick and Herbie . . . among if not even a cut above.

FIVE STARS!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!

In reading some of these reviews as I listen to this CD...UH....what (?) some people don't like versatility? Well....that is THEIR problem, not Jeff's. Here is a cat that works his butt off to bring you the very best and some people give a bad review because it's TOO versatile. I give one star to the small minds that can't and/or won't recognize a GREAT body of work when they hear it AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE THE "FLOW" OF THE SONGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES. Some people always have to have their say, and they ALWAYS have to find fault in ANYTHING even at the expense of making a fool of themselves.
tell ya what....here is my review....BUY THIS CD...IT'S VERY VERY GOOD!