One has to read the credits on this fine if unremarkable independent smooth jazz release to realize that the leader is a guitarist and keyboardist. The opening track, "Me & JB," are cool funk ballads that focus completely on the silky sax of James Brown (any relation to the real one?), while the gently playful "Islands" is a showcase for Mickey Mills' authentic steel drums. Sure,
Hill offers a lush piano solo on that tune and infuses "Did You Give Thanks" with a
Pieces of a Dream-like ivory sweetness, but he's not exactly putting himself front and center. His own playing is nice, and a few of the compositions are memorable, but all of these positive points are counteracted by the cheesy likes of the vocal "Let This Be Love" (with its outdated production) and way too much canned programming.
Hill shows some potential, but plays it too safe to make much impact beyond the realm of pleasant "dinner jazz." ~ Jonathan Widran