Search - Tom Grant :: Tune It in

Though he's more of a consistent purveyor of funky and melodic keyboard elegance than an artist labels try to push into the star category, contemporary jazz fans have been tuning in to Tom Grant for over 20 years--long before there was an official name for "smooth jazz." One of the ways Grant kept the music fresh on Tune It In involved dividing the production duties. He produced one tune himself and six with longtime coproducer and cowriter Phil Baker. Grant also called in popular smooth-jazz guitarist and producer Ray Obiedo to help produce the remaining tracks. Grant's very first recording, Mystified, came out in 1976, and he and Baker try their darnedest to capture the fusion vibe of that time on the title track of "Tune It In." Grant floats a joyous melody over a punchy, percussive groove, throbbing bass lines, and Baker's occasional wah-wah guitar spurts. Grant has long been one of smooth-jazz's most endearing balladeers, and the following three tracks feature his eloquence in this area. A cover of 98 Degrees' "Invisible Man" showcases the gently funky bass and seductive tenor sax of the Braxton Brothers, while the balmy, breezy "Generous Heart" finds Grant's melody dancing happily over the warm, tropical guitar cool of Obiedo. Obiedo also produced the swaying, irresistible cover of the Vanessa Williams hit "Save the Best for Last." --Jonathan Widran