The first collaboration between guitarist
Cory Wong and alto saxophonist
Dave Koz, 2021's ebullient and funky
Golden Hour maximizes the best aspects of each performer. An established crossover jazz star,
Koz has a style that brings together pop lyricism with a rhythmically infectious brand of R&B.
Wong, a prolific artist in his own right, has worked on a variety of genre-bending projects, including albums with funk collective
Vulfpeck and keyboardist
Jon Batiste, with whom he recorded the Grammy-nominated 2020 new age album
Meditations. Produced by
Wong,
Golden Hour finds the duo bringing all of their previous experience to bear on a set of original, primarily instrumental songs. Backed by a full rhythm section and horns,
Koz and
Wong's music evokes a classic, late-'70s and early-'80s soul vibe, but with a sleek, contemporary energy. Cuts like the title track, "Family Reunion," and the infectious "Engine 71," are hooky, R&B-influenced songs that bring to mind the work of
Tower of Power and
the Dap-Kings, or even the Saturday Night Live Band. There is also a nice vocal addition from British singer Phoebe Katis, who joins the group for "Your Side of Town (Art of Key Noise)."
Wong's crisp electric guitar riffs are a nice counterpoint to
Koz's bright, high-energy sax playing. Recognized for his many smooth jazz hits since the '90s,
Koz has grown into a soulful performer, and his work with
Wong nicely showcases his charismatic phrasing and throaty, vocal-like sax sound. A vibrant production with an unexpectedly earthy vibe,
Golden Hour is all about
Koz and
Wong's warm creative synergy. ~ Matt Collar