If nothing else,
Robert Kyle has extraordinary compositional dexterity -- previous albums featuring music written by
Kyle address the swing, post bop, modern, and smooth jazz genres. He wrote all the songs but one on
Brazilian Moon, turning his attention to Brazilian -- that most exotic of jazz forms -- and the endeavor comes off quite well. To maintain listener interest,
Kyle combines Brazilian with other jazz styles in which he has worked. "Cruzin'" leans toward the modern edge of the jazz spectrum, but with a Latin beat. "Enchante is smooth music -- again featuring that beat from south of the border -- with Steve Weingart's synthesizer and
Kyle's
Ernie Watts-like tenor occupying most of the playing space. Most of the tracks have a smooth jazz flavor, but this is smooth jazz with a beat. This setting also allows
Kyle scads of opportunities to demonstrate his prowess with the flute in addition to the tenor and soprano saxes.
Sergio Mendes' "So Many Stars" is given that eerie jungle flavor used by many of
Kyle's peers who play Brazilian music.
Kyle has brought old friends into the studio with him. Hussain Jiffry, Kevin Winard, and Steve Weingart have been there before with
Kyle and share both his musical sympathies and proclivities. This session is neither earth-shattering nor groundbreaking, and was probably intended to be neither. It is an album that can provide pleasant listening to accompany other similarly pleasant activities. ~ Dave Nathan