Detroit-bred, Los Angeles-based saxophonist Justin Young burst on the jazz scene after an impressive win at the 2007 Capital Jazz New Artist Challenge in Columbia, Maryland.  I witnessed that explosion, and it was truly memorable.  The versatile 28-year old performer then debuted his solo album, On The Way, which was a really fitting and aptly titled intro to the new saxman. Now comes Nothin’ But Love, a bouncy groove that's sometimes stompin’, yet often sweetly mellow.  It cements Young as one who can identify and work a groove in an undaunted and tastefully smooth and consistent manner.

Having written or co-written a decent share of this album, Young strives to capture the essence of this thing we call smooth jazz, just as he did with his debut offering, and he doesn’t miss.  With help from the likes of bassist Alex Al, drummer Ricky Lawson, and writer/keyboardist Eddie Miller, he steps through this production as proudly as a peacock.

He opens with that stomp to which I referred earlier, with plenty of funk and bottom to go along with it.  A nice hook always goes a long way, and he brings one just right for the occasion.  The snappy, tight, and funky “Today, Tomorrow,” one of those co-written by Young (and one of my favs), is quite dance-worthy and has that familiar feel that we all have come to know and love about get-at-cha smooth jazz-- rhythmic, bright, and melodic with a catchy hook.  He follows that with another mid-tempo sassy piece called “Catamaran Cruise,” again calling you to the dance floor to let those vibes bounce off you, envelope you, and guide you through some moves you find you still have. The kid’s got “it.”
 
He shows off his slick interpretations of a few covers here, as well, and, no, even he can’t squelch my disdain for a lot of covers, but these are well-chosen and suitable.  His version of MJ’s “Heal The World” is warm and touching (it’s kinda hard to do this piece and not have some warmth and feel for it, anyway), and his takes on Robin Thicke’s “Lost Without U,” Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are,” and the Gamble/Huff creation “When Somebody Loves You Back” (the piece that surely brings the late Teddy Pendergrass to mind) are also quite decent.

Now, back to those originals, the track “India,” has a soulful swagger in its melody and rhythm and does a great job of catching and holding you.  Interesting instrumentation here as Young doubles on keys and Hussain Jiffry (also on keys) doubles on bass—and they co-wrote the tune, as well.  This demonstrates true excellence in collaboration, as this too is one of my favorite tunes here.  “A Song For A Better Tomorrow” follows suit quite effectively and sweetly.

In a word (or two or three), as I stated briefly above, Justin Young has “it.” His sense of weaving a tune and his instrument around the fabric of smooth jazz is more than noteworthy. This CD will surely get Nothin’ But Love from many. --  Ronald Jackson