Nov. 23, 2011

Much of the nature of new material, and I mean really new in terms of feel, melodies, and hooks, is the way it can captivate and motivate those good vibes we smooth jazzers so love to sense and embrace over and over. Granted, older material can be just as effective, but to come up with something equal to those memorable tunes time and again is no easy feat. The new release by saxophonist Quintin Gerard W., Before It’s Gone, is such an album. It has the freshness and powerful appeal that speaks to what keeps smooth jazz relevant. It’s clear that the saxman’s goal was to again offer us an example of what taking one’s time to create and nourish a tune should feel like.

Perhaps among the many under-heralded yet greatly talented artists, the Louisiana jazzman comes packing some of the most inspired selections to grace the airwaves and stages today.  He is the epitome of the “walk softly and carry a big stick” Roosevelt slogan. This material is, at times, as smooth as a glass of pricey brandy, yet, in other places, as soulful and funky as the collective depth of all of us who live in the world of smooth jazz.

About this project, he says, “As a blue-collar musician, it is about doing my part to nurture this genre of music and allow it to grow and expand its reach so that it can be enjoyed by current and future generations.” In each track, you can hear that objective.

There are several that I can claim as my faves here, including the convincing, laid-back lead track, “Sweet Ladies,” the inspirational , uplifting “Our Day Will Come” (nope, not a remake of the Ruby & The Romantics tune of the 60s, by the way), the stirring title track with its calling sax hook, the sweet and telling “Words Can’t Explain,” and a host of others.

Quintin Gerard W had established himself a while back in my mind and heart as a bonafide sax player with style, funk, charisma, and vision. We have a lot for which to thank the self-proclaimed “Fnkysax Player” on this fine piece of work.   – Ronald Jackson