BILL EVANS
Touch (Zebra)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Since joining Miles Davis' 1980 band at the age of 22, saxophonist Bill Evans has appeared on over 100 recording dates, including sessions with Davis, John McLaughlin, Mick Jagger and Lee Ritenour. Between sessions, he's toured with all of the above, as well as Herbie Hancock, Elements, Andy Summers, Dave Grusin and as a leader. Touch is his eleventh recorded effort as a leader. Needless to say, he comes to the table with great chops and a pedigree to match.

Touch offers eleven new Evans compositions, with an emphasis on the melodic side that pushes the project perilously close to the perilously precious "smooth jazz" precipice. He manages to avoid falling over the cliff, though, in part because of his own instrumental facility and in part because he recruited an equally outstanding crew of musicians to flesh out his arrangements. Over twenty players appear on the album, including noteworthy contributions from Wallace Roney, Lee Ritenour, Lew Soloff, Chuck Loeb and Victor Bailey. While the arrangements never quite reach that place called "out," Evans provides room for players to stretch a bit more than the standard "smooth" formula allows.

If you've got friends who are approaching jazz from the smooth side, this is a great way to take them a bit further along the path. If you're looking for something melodic that offers more than you'll get from the G person and his friends, you've found it.

Track List:

One Wild Ride * In Your Heart * Remembering Those Times * Dixie Hop * Girl By The Sea * Touch * Nashville Cowboys * Little Hands Little Feet * Skippin * Back To The Wall * A Country Mile

© 1999 - Shaun Dale