Customer Reviews

Philly Style

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3 star:		(1)
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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.

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!!!

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.

While many smooth jazz artists start sounding like caricatures of themselves after a few albums, Jeff Lorber keeps his music fresh and relavant without subsatntially changing from album to album. "Philly Style" is a CD that has all of the classic Jeff Lorber elements, with just enough nuance that it's not in danger of sounding like leftovers from another CD. Pick a track, any track. They're all good. Buy this one without hesitiaiton.

I have bought all of Jeff Lorber's CDs plus have bought CDs where he wrote and played other people's songs. Philly Style continues with the good stuff. Includes excellent musicians like Jerry Hey, Lenny Castro and Richard Elliot. Of course, I will always miss Art Porter - Jeff and Art were the perfect combo.

So, add this one to your collection!

This album is da'bomb. Jeff came with alot of Philly Soul. His style is new and refreshing to hear. Jeff gave me a reason to listen to my local Jazz Station. This Cd is something that may actually get more young people to want to hear smooth jazz. His neo-soul flavor is remarkable, and I hope that you will enjoy this album as much as I have.

This might be the very best CD he has done in the last 15 or so years. Which is saying a ton! If you like jazz with a beat and GREAT ballads then this is your disc! Funky, tight jazz!!!

The man has COMPLETE mastery of his instruments. At first easy to listen to, but listen closer and his keyboard skills have no equal. A shout out to G. Meek his primary horn player. JL is the original and still the BEST. Grammy time!!!

Couldn't find this album locally, so I tried Amazon and hiskingdombooks had this product. This item came on time, in great shape and the music is wonderful.
I would recommend hiskingdombooks with no hesitation.

Kickin'it was the Bomb and Philly Style kicks it even more so you don't forget that Mr.Lorber is the numero uno of Smooth Jazz.

Like trying to divine the gospel from a sea of televangelists, the search for good modern jazz music is fraught with imposters and imitators. Welcome to the real thing. Jeff Lorber pioneered this genre back when we called it "Fusion" or "Contemporary Jazz" and the oxymoronic word "smooth" never entered the equation. Lorber has got more groove, vibe, feel, & melodic sensibility than a hundred Boney Jameses or other soap-star-[come]-musicians clogging the smooth jazz airways. This is the cat they all imitate, but fail to emulate.

This CD scores on at least two grounds, it's a solid collection of what Lorber does best of all, combine hooky melodies with irresistible grooves; and it's a great thematic album centered around the "Philly" sound, which means injections of soul, funk and horn sections.

In a genre that has been all but taken over by music to be listened to in elevators and dentist offices, it's great to have one artist stand the test of time, true to where he began. Here he is, Jeff Lorber.