Philly Style

Jeff Lorber | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00008H2JK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,733 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 plus 2 equals Jeff Lorber, December 29, 2003

By 

Daniel Rutkowski (Wernersville, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philly Style (Audio CD)

If you do the math, Jeff Lorber is undeniably one of the contemporary masters of fusion (a jazz genre combining the energy of rock with the improvisation that characterizes jazz). Lorber continues to move ahead melodically at the same time that he returns to his roots in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, on his eighteenth album since 1977.

Jeff definitely has a winner with this CD. Lorber, a keyboardist par excellence, does on this release what he has been doing for decades...making great music. While he has always favored the texture of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, on this disc Lorber puts together some really fine and classy piano playing on a so-called "acoustic piano" (the kind of piano made famous by Steinway, Baldwin and Benoit).

Other "Philly" natives collaborating with Jeff on this disc are producer and keyboardist/drum programmer Steve Dubin and drummer "Little John" Roberts. Throughout this CD, the widely regarded bassist Alex Al puts down a bass line that is pure funk.

While every tune is worthy of a little description, the high points begin with "Under Wraps." An irony of the title is that after this CD was released, Lorber's fine collaboration with Richard Elliot on this tune would no longer be a secret. This song is full of funk and soul and serves as a truly excellent introduction to the good vibes that come shining through the rest of the album.

"Philly Style," the title song, is played with some excellent keyboarding by Lorber and a really funkalicious horn arrangement.

"Soul Food" is truly a Philadelphia mainstay. This song proves that man does not live by bread alone but also by Lorber's Fender Rhodes doing a duet with the sax and featuring vocalist Naila.

"Laissez Faire" is characterized by the coolness and laid-back style that has always epitomized Jeff Lorber's jazz improvisation.

"When She Smiles" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that settles into a really mellow groove. Some might characterize it as a love song and it could be. As you listen to the most excellent acoustic piano styling, this tune seems to capture the reflection of the famous Schuylkill River sliding and gliding along it's path through this neck of Penn's woods.

Ending it all, chronologically speaking, is the outstanding "Serpentine Lane" that is Lorber fusion at its best. This song, the second longest on the CD, captures a whole host of Philadelphia influence within its length. It is worth the wait.

As for the cover art...the soft pretzel. It's been said that buying a soft pretzel from a street vendor in Philly is truly throwing caution to the wind. There they are, stacked one on top of the other on a dowel rod exposed to the elements. A little crusty on the outside while soft with a hint of sweetness in the middle. Like the salt that covers them, Jeff Lorber has NOT lost his savor.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let me be the first!, March 14, 2003

By 

GPPassion "GPPassion" (The Great Ohio Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philly Style (Audio CD)

This album is OFF THE HOOK! JL hit a Grand Slam Home Run with this one. This will be one of the hottest albums of the year. It's fresh, it's funky, it's Premium Jeff Lorber. If you're a JL fan, it harkens back to the 80's when he put out songs that you listened to over and over and over (like Full Moon Rising). I don't write many reviews, but when I do there's a good reason. You'll want this CD. It's got all the funk and fire that was missing from his last CD (Kicking It, IMHO). The mix is great, the band is tight and interesting and JL's chops have never been better. He left everything on the court this time. Thanks JL!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find the last 2-3 smooth jazz cd's you purchased-I'll wait-, April 8, 2003

By 

[e-mail] (T dot-O dot, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philly Style (Audio CD)

I guarantee Jeff Lorber contributed on at least one of them. His sound really is reminiscent of his 70's albums (yes with Kenny G when the G meant "groove").He takes it back to the old school right from Under Wraps - he somehow reunites the SEAWIND? horn section, and they all meet up in Gigabyte which is the smooth jazz radio single and it's not even the best selection on the cd. Lorber goes D'Angelo with Regardless Of which you won't like at first-but listen again it will become one of your favorites and I mean favorites period. "Hello Goodie Mobb?! Can I use your SOUL FOOD on my next cd?" This conversation actually happened and that song and Uncle Darrow's are my favorites, but all of Phiily Style is vintage Lorber yet incoporates fresh elements from todays musical trends.