The trouble with much contemporary jazz is that it sometimes doesn’t even try to differentiate itself from Muzak. Instrumental renditions of familiar tunes come off like they were only made to play as background noise to our lives. But Dave Koz turns up the volume and steps to the front with fellow horn players Richard Elliot, Mindi Abair and Gerald Albright on his new CD, Summer Horns (Concord Records).
Koz and friends revisit the ’60s and ’70s for an eclectic collection of instrumentals that receive crystal clear production by Paul Brown. Earth Wind and Fire’s “Got To Get You Into My Life” is made with thrilling results by the rich saxes at work that could easily be mixed into the original. When the four take on Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4,” the tune holds up the swelling strength of the early hit. These guys were respectful to these songs but added the right touch of their own character to deliver something fresh.
The album falters in Tower of Power’s “So Very Hard to Go,” and sadly, Michael McDonald’s vocals don’t help. The late, great Dave Brubeck’s signature song “Take Five” gets the treatment, but it lacks imaginative effort. Still, the album recovers strongly with the funked-out Stevie Wonder cover “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” and “God Bless the Child,” which ironically both feature vocal performances by Jonathan Butler and Jeffrey Osborne, respectively.
Many smart choices were made in Summer Horns. Koz mixes seamlessly with the other three, but none shrink out of sight. This is far from elevator music — indeed, if it played in one, it might be tough to get off on your floor.
Two and half stars
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 28, 2013.
