Rhythm and Romance [Red Smoke Vinyl] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] in Bloomington, MN

Smooth jazz
saxophonist
Kenny G
delivers more of his trademark romantic saxophone sound, but with a
Latin
tinge on 2008's
Rhythm and Romance
. Rather than simply delivering a standard
smooth jazz
album with a few
beats,
G
has crafted a more of a straight-up
dance album. Moving from the frenetic and up-tempo
salsa
of
"Sax-O-Loco,"
to the romantic and elegant
orchestral
ballad
"Sabor a Mi"
and the steamy fun of
"Miramir Bailar,"
this is a rhythmically compelling and passionate affair that finds
in newly energized form. Where
can sometimes seem a little too programmed and predictable, here he and his fellow musicians are fired up with a kind of organic, playful joy. We even get to hear him burning through his solo on the
gypsy
-inflected
"Peruvian Nights"
with a visceral fortitude that's more
post-bop
than
instrumental pop
. Joining
here are such
music luminaries as former
Weather Report
drummer
Alex Acuna
, percussionists
Paulinho Da Costa
and
Michito Sanchez
, and guest vocals featuring
Barbara Munoz
and the Mexican
pop
trio
Camila
. ~ Matt Collar