Take that, snobby straight-ahead jazz purists! Finally, the elite of smooth jazz have put together a project where it would be a compliment to hear that it put you to sleep -- or rather, your children. The mastermind of saxman
Dave Koz and his brother,
Jeff Koz, and the first release from
Koz's Rendezvous Entertainment, this beautifully conceived and crafted recording has two modes: slow and slower. But that's intentional, as many of the genre's new dads (
Peter White,
Rick Braun,
David Benoit) find quietly eloquent ways to lull their babes to sleep via their primary instruments. Some, like
Benoit ("When You Wish Upon a Star") and
Braun ("Somewhere Over the Rainbow"), pick the tried and true, while others, like
White, write their own classic (the graceful, mystical "Charlotte's Song"). The
Koz boys also contribute a new piece and bookend the project with soft-hearted soprano sax-driven takes on
Beatles classics, including the title track. Perhaps the most unexpected treat is the fairy dusty take on
Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" by flutist
Steve Kujala and acoustic guitarist
Grant Geissman. Others participating in the brigade of happy dads (and those who play music for and like dads) are
Norman Brown,
Brian Culbertson,
Bruce Watson, and
Brad Cole. Parents will be dreaming sweet long after the child is off to slumberland. ~ Jonathan Widran