There is something about the music of Peter White. It has a way of creeping into the psyche of those who listen in a way that stays with them for ever but in so doing remains completely fresh. Consequently, despite the fact White’s last CD, ‘Good Day’, was released in 2009, the event seems as if it were yesterday. Now he is back with the equally good ‘Here We Go’. Scheduled for release March 13 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, this eleven song collection has been co-produced by White and his long term collaborator DC. With a range of original material drawn from both the recent and distant past, plus some stellar guest appearances thrown in for good measure, ‘Here We Go’ is destined to be one of the outstanding albums of 2012.
Of course the contribution to ‘Good Day’ of the always excellent Philippe Saisse was significant and he re-unites with White for their co-composition ‘Time Never Sleeps’. The tune was originally intended for Saisse’s next CD and despite its easy paced beginnings; an ever increasing intensity owes much to a dazzling performance by Saisse on piano and keyboards. In fact Saisse plays keyboards on seven of the tracks and is again in splendid form for the entrancing ‘Night After Night’ where an entirely hypnotic vibe is solidified by the wonderful interplay between these two outstanding musicians.
Anyone who has ever seen White play live will be aware of the penchant he has for lacing his music with attention grabbing reggae arrangements. With ‘My Lucky Day’ he tips a hat to Bob Marley in a way that is pure magic and elsewhere the Latin frenzy of ‘Joyride’ is in the finest traditions of White’s best work. Exemplary percussion from Ramon Yslas, sax from Andrew Neu plus Gabriel on flugelhorn all add to the pleasure of this zesty number and when these three return to lend a hand to the hugely atmospheric ‘Costa Rica’ the outcome is just as good. Make no mistake this is a song that will be heard often in White’s live shows.
Neu stays around for the totally charming ‘If Ever’ which is embellished by some delightfully subtle vocals from Kiki Ebsen whereas the lively title cut enables White to realize his long-time dream of collaborating with sax supremo David Sanborn. The splendid richness of this fine tune is strengthened by the well crafted input of Neu on background sax, Mel Scott on baritone sax and more great work by Gabriel on flugelhorn yet in stunning contrast, ‘Requiem For A Princess’ is a piece that was composed by White in 1997, shortly after the death of Lady Diana. He describes it as perhaps the saddest song he has ever written
‘Here We Go’ is a collection that from time to time finds White in a distinctly mellow mood and this is particularly so with the exquisite rhythm and melody of ‘Reunion’ and again for ‘Desert Night’. However, all things considered, the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track can be none other than the captivating ‘Our Dance’. With a melody which tugs unashamedly at the heartstrings and with an injection of sax from Kirk Whalum that is a joy to behold this one, much like the entire album, is pure gold.
