Chuck Loeb's
All There Is is proof that one can be a tasteful guitarist working in the often-derided
smooth jazz style and still be capable of making albums that are more than just
easy listening sludge. Recorded in a simple small-group setting with no extraneous "special guests" around to muddy up the sound,
Loeb unspools ten originals and tasteful covers (none of the tacky '70s AM
pop crossover attempts that marred 2001's
In a Heartbeat) in a relaxed style that never quite gets mellow in the pejorative sense. Clearly inspired by
Wes Montgomery and
George Benson's work with
Creed Taylor,
Loeb steers clear of the pitfalls endemic to that style, maintaining melodic interest while never merely playing prettily. Even the
Brazilian-influenced
"Sarao," which flirts with
Chuck Mangione-style
disco-
pop thanks to the utterly retro ARP synth line and cooing female vocals, maintains its integrity thanks to some trickily precise soloing by
Loeb and a rhythm section that actually has a bit of
funk to it.
All There Is is not for those raised on a diet of
Ornette Coleman and
ESP, but there's a place for
mood music, and this does it better than most. ~ Stewart Mason
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