Full Circle

It is difficult to believe that David Benoit has been a major player on the jazz music scene for over thirty years, or perhaps it is just denial on my part that I can remember that far back. Benoit’s piano chops have always been like the finest, darkest Belgian chocolate, you just cannot get enough of it. The CD Full Circle returns Benoit to his roots in contemporary jazz.

“Café Rio” and “First Day of School” the first two songs from this ten-track album are elegant and uncluttered yet they retain a hint of sophistication. “First Day of School” has an abbreviated bridge featuring the splendid acoustic guitar work of two-time Grammy Award winner Paul Brown.

The album was co-produced by Brown, Jeff Lorber and Jeffrey Weber. Brown alone produced and engineered greater than forty number one jazz hits for artists that include, Rick Braun, Patti Austin, Larry Carlton, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Al Jarreau and Boney James.

"Water To Drink (Agua de Beber)" salutes the legendary Brazilian composer/singer/pianist/guitarist Antonio “Tom” Carlos Jobim. Benoit’s fingers move nimbly across the keys. Luis Conte’s percussion beats retain the flavor of Jobim’s native Rio de Janeiro where the seeds of Bossa Nova were first sown. Dan Higgins’ flute twitters lightly in the background like a small bird. Jerry Hey’s trumpet subtly enhances the arrangement while Bill Reichenbach’s trombone makes a cameo appearance. We hear once again Brown’s magical fingers on the frets. The song ends on a gentle note.

Saxophonist Gary Meek blows some delicious notes as the grooves hit “Beat Street”. The tune is funky and was penned collaboratively by Benoit and Lorber.

Euge Groove’s saxophones have shared the stage with Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Richard Marx and Tower of Power. The sax man appears on the sixth track “Chasing The Tides”.

The incredible musicians who appear on this album are too numerous to mention but let’s name drop just a bit, Rick Braun (trumpet), Alec Acuna (percussion), Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass) and Tim Weisburg (flute).

• Title: Full Circle
• Artist: David Benoit
• Label: Peak Records
• Length: 10 Tracks / 43:33
• Released: June 27, 2006