Search - Peter White :: Glow

Peter White - Taking Care of Business

B. Johnson | Reno, NV | 08/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Artist : Peter White

CD Title : Glow

Label : Sony



Even though the music genre is currently known as 'Smooth Jazz', I've been listening to this kind of music since the late 70's. Because of Corporate involvement and geniuses in advertising and marketing, it's only the name that's been changed. It was called Fusion back in the day (as well as Jazz-Rock/Crossover Jazz/Free Funk/Jazz-Pop/Quiet Storm & Contemporary Jazz).



Today, artists like Peter White get slapped with the 'SJ' label in a way as a put down from folks who don't appreciate the finer aspects of the approach taken by artists like him.

On the SACD of Glow, the clarity of Peter's Improvisational, Melodic and Technically Excellent playing shines throughout.



Peter's performances take me back to the long-form jamming of Grover Washington, Jr., the Ohio Players, Santana and early George Benson (before he fell in love with his voice) against cool, steady backbeats. The Multichannel mix brings out the subtlety of the synth fills from the surround channels. The percussion fills and bursts are sharp and clean with plenty of guts.





Track 1. 'Chasing the Dawn'

With Latin flourishes and percussive runs, White displays his distinctive sound. You hear restrained, but clear cymbals from the right side of the sound stage & the clean ringing of a Classic Percussion Chimes at the song's end.



Track 2. 'Who's That Lady?'

This cover of the old Isleys' tune, Peter indulges himself with his soloing, keeping things interesting between chord changes on the original melody, all the while, Kirk Whalum plays a fine, fluid saxophone in the background, flowing into a the full-bodied clean intense solo as well. The multichannel mix gives you Congas and Bongos front and center on this one.



Track 3. 'Turn It Out'

Michael Egizi's Synth Fills, Moody Synth Bass, Synth Percussion Flairs, and Rhythm/Backing Guitar set the groove for Peter's Guitar work here. Euge Groove provides Smooth Clean Sax work as well.



Track 4. 'Bullseye'

Alex Al's Funky Bass and Lenny Castro's Clean, Precise Percussion and the Synth Drum programming by Steve Dubin set the tone right from the beginning on this track. Peter, as always, floats above it all, running the show. While Tim Heinz works the keyboards, you also notice the Wah Wah Guitar work by Michael Sims and the Tambourine in the surrounds, while Steve Cole's Funky Sax is right up front and center.



Track 5. 'Just My Imagination'

Rick Braun's haunting Trumpet, Mitch Forman Keyboard vamps and Lil' John Roberts keeping the beat at the start of this track, Peter fluidly works the original melody, and Lenny keeps the percussion surrounding you. Mellow Synth work, subtle synth finger snaps and fills make up the background palette on this one.



Track 6. 'Bueno Funk'

This is the hit that took over the radio when this CD was first out.

Peter White is directly up front here, with decays moving outward and across the sound stage. Lenny Castro, once again, is doing fine percussion work (Timbales, Cowbell, Temple Blocks, Tambourine and more). Steve Cole plays a subtle, yet clean and clear sax.



Track 7. 'Glow' (Title Track)

A beautifully Haunting Track - Everyone is on point here. Dave Koz's Sax work adds to the elegant haunting quality of the tune. Lil' John Roberts gets the 5.1 treatment in the mix - his soft cymbal play alternates left and right across the sound stage. Steve Dubin fills with Synth Drum work. The Surround mix puts Lenny Castro's Shaker and Congas in the Left Rear surround and Temple Block work in the Right Rear Surround. Larry Kimple plays a funky, yet smooth Bass line. Tim Heintz's underlying Keyboard / Synth work adds to the melancholy of the track.



Track 8. 'Pedro Blanco' (Peter White in Español)

Peter's Guitar takes on a semi-flamenco flavor here. Overdubbing of Jerry Hey's Trumpet and Flugelhorn work surrounds you while Lenny Castro & Lil' John Roberts Clean, rhythmic drums and percussion keeps your head bobbin'. On this one, Tim Heintz's keyboard work consists of percussive, rhythmic Latin accents.



Track 9. 'When I'm Alone'

Peter and his engineers worked the Overdubs again on this one.

He plays his unique style over his own Synth washes.



Track 10. 'Life Story'

Peter plays beautiful, melodic guitar over Synth background and Synth Drums with Scott Breadman's Percussion flourishes (Shaker, Bongos, Temple Blocks & more).



Track 11. 'Baby Steps'

Besides his excellent Flugelhorn work, Rick Braun works the Synth Drums and Percussion (surrounds) and the clean, understated Synth Strings with other keyboard runs. Scott Breadman's performing the Percussion (Bongos, Cymbals, Percussion Chimes & more). Alex Al's Bass work is also clean, but understated here.



This Review is for the Multi-Channel Super Audio CD Version; disc must be played only on Super Audio CD Players with a Multichannel system, revealing the Full SACD 5.1 Surround Mix.



Mixed for 5.1 SACD by Eddie King at MegaTrax Studios, North Hollywood, CA.

Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.

Digitally Edited by Stewart Whitmore for Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA.

Authored for SACD by Woody Pornpitaksuk at Sony Music Studios, New York, NY"