Gary Dean Smith Project – “Awakening” – MFRecords
If, like myself, you are a fan of that Southern California, Smooth Jazz style of music you will like the newest release from Gary Dean Smith. I mean, shoot, Jimmy Haslip, a founding member of the Yellowjackets was the producer. Jeff Lorber, a HUGE smooth jazz icon, and one of my absolute favorites, played piano on the track “Lucky.” Smith was born in LA and moved to the South as a child. Raised on good ole Southern Rock, and whereupon moving back to LA, honed his musical style resplendent in the smooth jazz sound that literally was born in Southern California. I fell in love with this work but I do have one regret. I sure wish it had more than five tracks. I could have listened to more of this music with no problem at all.
Overall: 9; Sonics: 8
