Jon Regen made his name as a jazz musician, notably spending a significant amount of time supporting vocal legend
Jimmy Scott, so the pop savvy of his 2011 album
Revolution may come as a surprise to those who have only read his biography. Not that this soulful singer/songwriter has never touched upon pop before -- 2007's Let It Go was in a similar vein and also featured an appearance from
Police guitarist
Andy Summers, who pops up on
Revolution's "Spirits of the Soul" -- but this easily assured, 2011 set is especially beguiling, as
Regen pushes his melodicism to the forefront. He's received some songwriting help from
Matchbox 20's
Rob Thomas and
David McAlmont, but they don't force their personalities upon the pianist: he very much anchors this album with his nimble, jazzy soul-pop. Echoes of
Boz Scaggs,
Steve Winwood, and
Billy Joel can be heard throughout
Revolution, but
Regen is sharp, he never lingers in one spot, and he keeps the record swinging and soulful, so the album sticks as both songs and performance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine