Now, here’s a smooth jazz CD that scratches almost every itch you can have in smooth jazz.  If you like the hot, grinding, gutsy stuff with bite and a bit of musical complexity and sophistication, saxophonist Marcus Anderson has you covered. If you favor the mid-to-slow tempo stuff with tantalizing melodies, Marcus Anderson has you covered.  From the Heart, Anderson’s sophomore release, comes already prepared for the discriminating tastes of all smooth jazzers.

A former long-time  student of Branford Marsalis and the 2009 winner of the Capital Jazz Fest Challenge, Anderson has worked the gamut of smooth jazz and, with From The Heart, comes loaded up with grooves from smooth to reggae to funk to classy fusion.

At the onset, I have to admit that I was a bit unsure about whether I’d really hear anything outside of the status quo.  That uncertainty exited quickly upon hearing the entire project. What a delightful slice of modern diversity and taste.  Joined by really competent musicians who provide a solid substance and base from which Anderson could start and build, the saxman lights into tunes like the reggae-flavored silky and hypnotically sweet “Karsen’s Song” and “With All My Heart,” dons the vocoder on a snappy “Reasons Why I Love You,” and just sets the house on fire with “Groove Session 101” (the latter comes with a popping hook, some stellar help on hot synth by Stephen Bruton, killer bass runs from AJ Brown). Anderson takes something from almost every style of smooth jazz and adds just enough complexity to keep it all exciting.  I do like that. Flute in the right place, tricky time signatures, reggae rhythms, soulful, sensuous, and delicious tunes that do a fantastic job of setting the mood, and a good sense of “The Formula” give Anderson a solid “A” in my opinion.  

Anderson provides yet another example of how to compose and caress a melody and hook, giving careful thought to the structure of each tune, and not just throwing together what has worked for others and hoping for a free ride to the top of the charts with a million-seller that’s hardly earned.  Marcus Anderson obviously understands the value of a well-conceived tune, and he sports an album full of them here with From The Heart. --  Ronald Jackson