Those listeners brand new to the special urban groove of the wonderful Bob Baldwin need only flip on the first track of his latest CD, ‘Re-Vibe’, to find out what this terrific musician is all about. Titled ‘Thanks For Stopping By’, the song (in Bob’s own words and in little over 2 minutes) perfectly sums up the ethos of this consummate performer.
Of course Baldwin has long been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz. His 2008 project ‘NewUrbanJazz.com’ served to redefine the genre and led to the legitimization of R & B tinged vocals within smooth jazz. Truth to tell Baldwin has been pioneering his unique vibe since he first hit the scene in 1988 with ‘The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin’. Since then his often overlooked discography has been adorned with musical gems and now ‘Re-Vibe’ raises the bar yet another notch.
The variety of ‘Re-Vibe’ is delightful and is epitomized by the melodic yet rhythmic lilt of ‘Get Over It’ which features everyone’s favourite flute player Ragan Whiteside. Her own solo album ‘Class Axe’ remains a real Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite and when she returns to add some magic to ‘Get A Little (Jazz In Yo’ Ear)’ its her silky backing vocal that grabs the attention. In fact the tune is built around a streetwise rap from Bo Valentine and as the CD moves closer to the urban vibe that sums up Baldwin like no other, the silkily soulful ‘All Over You’ shimmers with a stunning vocal from Glen Jones.
‘Arabian Sweets’ also includes flute from Whiteside and, as the title suggests, is replete with (jazzy) eastern promise while elsewhere ‘For Grover and George’ provides Baldwin with the opportunity to tip a hat to Washington Jr and Howard respectively. The track also showcases top notch sax from the ubiquitous Darren Rahn yet despite the superb guest performances that generously populate the album its Baldwin’s own contributions that remains centre of everything. In this respect there is none more so than his ultra tight playing on the mid tempo title cut and later ‘Cosmic – Tology’ allows him to deliver another slice of hip virtuosity.
Later, ‘Burnin (In My Brain)’ finds Baldwin in a funk induced haze and although ‘Every Breath Is A Gift’ is a masterpiece of rhythm and melody it’s the warm, inviting singing voice of Porter Carroll II that adds a velvety quality to the retro tinged ‘Are You Ready’.
The brassy ‘Uptown Situation’ finds Freddy V in fine form on sax, the always excellent Barry Danielian on trumpet and some predictably great keys from Baldwin. When trumpet duties pass to the up and coming Joey Sommerville, he plays a significant part in making Baldwin’s version the Alicia Keys smash ‘Unthinkable’ sound brand new. It is right up there with the best that the collection has to offer yet even better and snatching the honours of Smooth Jazz Therapy top tune is ‘Morning’. Used to bring ‘Re-Vibe’ to a deliciously contemplative close, melodic smooth jazz doesn’t get better than this.
‘Re-Vibe’ from Bob Baldwin comes highly recommended. Check it out.
Tracklist:
01. Thanks For Stoppin' By [02:27]
02. Uptown Situation [06:03]
03. Get Over it [05:50]
04. For Grover and George [05:54]
05. Unthinkable [04:52]
06. All Over You [04:39]
07. Get A Little (Jazz In Yo Ear) [04:30]
08. Cosmic-Tology [07:00]
09. Arabian Sweets [05:27]
10. Burnin' [05:27]
11. Are You Ready [05:17]
12. Re-Vibe [05:00]
13. Every Breath Is A Gift [05:16]
14. Morning [04:59]
02. Uptown Situation [06:03]
03. Get Over it [05:50]
04. For Grover and George [05:54]
05. Unthinkable [04:52]
06. All Over You [04:39]
07. Get A Little (Jazz In Yo Ear) [04:30]
08. Cosmic-Tology [07:00]
09. Arabian Sweets [05:27]
10. Burnin' [05:27]
11. Are You Ready [05:17]
12. Re-Vibe [05:00]
13. Every Breath Is A Gift [05:16]
14. Morning [04:59]
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