to listen or purchase
The dearth of bands in the mainstream R&B world has left the field open to talented instrumentalists like Mike Phillips. On top of that, instrumentalists are increasingly reluctant to operate under the limits imposed on them by the smooth jazz description. That label can be especially restrictive for contemporary jazz saxophonists such as Phillips. Sometimes, it seemed like a contemporary jazz saxophonist had to fill the album with instrumental versions of popular R&B songs. The saxophonist apparently had to play the melody straight with little or no improvisation, creativity and give and take with the other instrumentalists. It was almost as if someone passed a law. Things appear to have changed in recent years. Some sax players appear to be reaching back to the 1970s to recreate that jazz/funk fusion sound that we heard from players like Grover Washington, Jr. back in the day. Others collaborate with vocalists to make some pretty solid progressive R&B music.
These instrumentalists also recall that bands like Booker T. & the MG's, Junior Walker & the All Stars, Kool and the Gang, EW&F and the Average White Band made some pretty good instrumental R&B, funk and soul back in the day.
On his new album M.P.3, Phillips falls comfortably and firmly into the latter camp. M.P.3 reveals that Phillips has deep respect for R&B, hip-hop and jazz. I've always felt that the best records in the fusion genre make a choice as to which genre will predominate - jazz or R&B. Phillips chose R&B, but that only serves to make his improvisational flights more creative because he knows he's sharing ‘voice' time with singers, rappers, as well as instrumentalists. This forces everybody to approach their contribution to M.P.3 with more urgency and energy.
Notable Tracks: Gonna Miss You, 7 Days in Paradise, Take Our Time With Love, Right Person Wrong Time
Vocals: 3.0 stars
Music: 3.0 stars
Lyrics: 3.0 stars
Production: 3.5 stars
Soultracks call: Recommended
Howard Dukes