Search - Chuck Loeb :: All There Is

You won't be disappoineted

Steven Swain | Rocky Mount, VA USA | 07/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Guitarist Chuck Loeb continues his streak of excellent contemporary jazz music with this release, though to pigeonhole this realease as strictly contemporary jazz is only telling half the story. The album starts with "As Is," a fresh take on be-bop that any jazz fan could respect. It ends with "Love Is All There Is," a atmospheric track that goes nowhere fast, despite the heartfelt sentiment of singer Carmen Cuesta, who is also Mr. Loeb's wife. In between it's all good, with jazz, Latin, new age, R&B, and even house influences forming a charming soundscape.My favoite tracks are "Sierra Nevada," a David Mann (Nelson Rangell) produced track that's a little synth-heavy, but spontaneous despite this; "Sarao," jazz with a touch of Latin and house; "In the Hands," a killer song with funky bass work by the incomporable Will Lee; and "Bread and Butter," a Jeckyl-and-Hyde type track where quiet restraint and serious jamming get equal billing."All There Is" is one of the better jazz releases of 2002, and shouldn't be missed"