Jan. 26, 2012

It’s been awhile since we’ve been treated to the smooth and driving sounds of Danish saxman Michael Lington. Well, the wait is over as he gives us Pure, a robust CD of contemporary pleasantries, due for release on Feb. 14.

Opening with the powerful track “Roadtrip” with Lee Ritenour tearing it up on guitar, Lington brings both a houseful of talented guests and a repertoire of rousing tunes that indicate the saxman is still at the top of his game and able to deliver the melodic quality we’ve come to know so well.

In addition to Rit, he brings in Brian Culbertson, Ray Parker Jr., Paul Jackson Jr., Jeff Golub, Michael Broening, Jonathan Butler, Paul Brown, and many others. No loose threads here!

This is a very lively, energetic CD, displaying the boogie and jam in Lington almost to a fever pitch. In addition to “Roadtrip,” witness “Playtime” with Jeff Golub’s hot bluesy licks, “Lower East Side,” his rendition of one of my all-time faves, “Shotgun,” with vocalist Michael Bolton taking on the vocals (personally, I still prefer the gut-wrenching vocals of the late, great Junior Walker, but Bolton does no harm to the number at all).

Lington is, of course, still quite capable of slipping in the sweet sauce of the tender and melodic pieces he’s also noted for delivering (e.g., the mid-tempo, lazy “The Serenade” and “Like Old Times”). Another of those sax players with a knack and ear for melody.

A rather funky midtempo piece to check out is the sassy “Movin’ On” featuring Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar. Going in a different direction, the finale, “A Simpler Time,” is a laid-back, light and airy tune with Jonathan Butler on guitar.

It’s been about 4 years since Lington released Heat. Pure makes for a great return, full of spice and bite. – Ronald Jackson