A Hot Night Paris

In the latter half of the '90s, ' career hit a bit of a sales slump, and instead of shamelessly chasing after another number one single, he decided to change pace and try something different. Returning to the drums, he assembled , reviving the sound of such idols as and , but largely sticking with his original material. After a brief European tour in 1996 (which happened to feature as conductor and as vocalist), he created a new version of the band featuring several accomplished jazz and studio musicians in support -- notably alto saxophonist , but also guitarist , tenor saxophonist , and pianists , among many others, in varying roles. That band toured America and Europe in 1998, and it's the one featured on the ten-song, 70-minute live album . Initially, it may be disarming for long-time fans (and detractors) to hear blaring forth in brash, brassy arrangements, and it is true that the melodies can occasionally sound thin in this context, but once that first reaction passes, is actually entertaining. doesn't try anything new with the big band form -- he just updates it with his own songs, including the chestnut along with covers of ' 's As such, it's the sort of record that will inevitably irk purists, since it's targeted right at mainstream jazz audiences, ones that aren't really familiar with big band music but have a vague idea of what it sounds like, but anyone whose standards aren't quite as exacting will likely be pleasantly surprised with . When the band just plays -- which is quite often, since the themes are stated quickly enough so they're recognized, then they disappear -- this is swinging, accomplished music that's unpretentious and fun. It's never more than simply entertaining, but that's all it needs to be -- it's more enjoyable than any record has put out in over a decade, and it suggests that this is a dignified and charming way for him to mature. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine