Guitarist Jim Adkins is one of the smoothest players around. His credits as a composer include the tune ‘Wind Dancing’ for which he claimed second prize in the 1999 Billboard Song Contest yet the fact that this song went on to be included on MP3s ‘103 of the Best Songs You've Never Heard’ speaks volumes. Indeed, although his music is as accessible as any around today he remains something of a buried treasure and for Smooth Jazz Therapy his brand new album ‘City Streets’ has been a wonderful discovery. It is the latest in a sequence of CD releases that started back in 1998 with the appropriately titled ‘Just Chillin’ and continued with the 2001 ‘Turning Point’. ‘License To Play’ followed in 2004. Now with ‘City Streets’ he is back with nine original compositions and one choice cover that can only serve to enhance his kudos as a purveyor of ‘in the pocket’ smooth jazz.
Mid tempo is where Adkins works well and the ultra smooth ‘Lost In The Moment’ is a great example of his art. In fact one delicious tune after another keeps on flowing by and as the dazzling ‘Lost In Love’ gives way to the happy vibe of ‘Feels Good,’ Adkins continues to weave his relaxing web with the very Peter White like ‘After The Rain’. Its languid Latin undertone is totally addictive and Adkins retains the Latin theme for ‘Mystic Vista’ which has all the rhythm and melody you will ever need. Although a little moodier, ‘Out And About’ is no less appealing whilst the albums only cover is Adkins re-imagining of Al Green’s ‘Lets Stay Together’. The fact he caresses this soulful number into a tranquil delight is totally indicative of his style but when with ‘Curtain Call’ he takes the chance to turn things a little bluesy he demonstrates to perfection that he is far from being a one trick smooth jazz pony. Despite that, the evocative ‘Manhattan’ finds him at his very best. Loaded with the understated energy of the place from which the song takes its name, and embellished by cool sax from Rosshan Monroe, it is clearly one of the CD’s outstanding tracks. However, just shading it is the excellent title cut. This superbly tight slice of smooth jazz finds trumpeter Bill McGee (whose own CD ‘Chase The Sunset’ was reviewed in these pages back in January of 2007) in tremendous form while picture perfect playing from Adkins fuses the entire piece together in a joyous way.
‘City Streets’ is a terrific album and comes highly recommended. For more go to www.jimadkinsmusic.com