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Easy listening for a new generation
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This review first appeared in the February 26, 1993 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).
Remember when "easy listening" didn't mean brain-dead elevator music? When artists such as Herb Alpert, Sergio Mendes and Al Hirt put out what was called "dinner music" that was high quality and, if soft, never boring?
Discovery Jazz's new release, "Body Heat," is cut from the same cloth as those recordings of a generation ago, and demonstrates that good jazz need not be hard-driving, but can be imaginative, tasteful, restrained.
Led by pianist Bill Cunliffe, the Jazz at the Movies Band features guest appearances by respected jazz musicians like saxman Ernie Watts and trumpeter Jack Sheldon, among others. But the real star here is the music, with movie themes such as "Black Orpheus," "Taxi Driver" and "Body Heat" given sophisticated arrangements.
It is the perfect accompiniment for a quiet, romantic evening of candlelight and wine.