Contemporary jazz guitarist and vocalist
Steve Oliver offers something everyone will enjoy on his sophomore release as a leader, titled
Positive Energy. The recording reflects
Oliver's smooth, upbeat, joyous spirit through dynamic vocals and instrumentals on 12 brand-new originals. Working with
Steve Oliver are such prominent contemporary jazz favorites as his labelmate,
Jeff Kashiwa, on saxophone and
Spyro Gyra keyboardist
Tom Schuman alongside the multi-talented bassists
Brian Bromberg and Larry Antonino. The recording opens with the radio-friendly "High Noon," the first single to be released from the CD. The song combines the freshest licks from Latin funk and the smoothest grooves from smooth jazz in an energetic presentation with a contemporary flair.
Oliver's vocals set the song apart from the instrumentals on the set and give his listeners more than enough room to enjoy the "positive energy" emanating from his playing style. On the title track,
Steve Reid adds his mighty percussion to the mix and not only provides an extra layer of rhythmic fuel, but inspires
Oliver's excellent guitar playing to another level of performance.
Oliver's ability to tell a story is quite evident on the vocal version of "Show You Love." This song has the potential to cross over to the R&B genre due to its funky backbeat and danceability and is reprised as an instrumental, with
Brandon Fields' smooth tenor sax as the lead voice, to close the set.
Positive Energy has no problem meeting the standards set by
Oliver's 1999 debut,
First View, and should garner additional smooth jazz and groove fans for
Oliver. In the making for nearly three years, the new musical dimensions added by the guest stars, the romantic and sometimes-funky celebratory vibe, and
Oliver's excellent musicality make
Positive Energy another great opportunity to hear what
Steve Oliver is all about. ~ Paula Edelstein