Due out February 14th on the Trippin N' Rhythm label, the latest release from sax-man Michael Lington is titled ‘Pure’. In part it was recorded live with Rickey Minor and the Tonight Show Band while guest performers include heavy hitters such as Michael Bolton, Lee Ritenour, Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Ray Parker Jr, Jeff Golub and Paul Jackson Jr. The first single, ‘Road Trip’, which features Ritenour on guitar is full of the gutsy ‘in your face’ playing for which Lington is best known and is already making considerable waves at contemporary jazz radio. Even at this early stage the indications are that, with ‘Pure’, Michael Lington is taking his burgeoning career to a whole new level.
His fulsome playing is well to the fore with the high octane ‘Come On Over’ which surprisingly but delightfully includes a harmonica solo from Tollak Ollestad and although Lington eases down the tempo for the pleasingly melodic ‘The Serenade’ he nevertheless retains his trademark richness of sound.
Another tender cut is ‘A Simpler Time’ for which Jonathon Butler guests on guitar and talking of guitarists the jazzy swagger of ‘Playtime’ is added to in no small measure by the instantly familiar sound of Jeff Golub. Elsewhere ‘Movin’ On’ (which was co-written by Lington and the in demand Michael Broening) proves to be a fine and funky showcase for the Ricky Minor Band while when he calls on the services of keyboard player Jeff Babko (who, much like Minor, also provides the music to a network late night talk show) they together deliver the easy grooving and totally compelling ‘Lower East Side’.
Later, Lington takes Bill Withers ‘Lovely Day’ and gives it a smooth jazz makeover. It comes with the splendid bonus of backing vocals from Kenya Hathaway yet in terms of covers there is nothing to surpass the soulful intensity of the Jr Walker & The All Stars classic ‘Shotgun’. With standout vocals from the one and only Michael Bolton this one is right up there with the albums best but just shading it as Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the sumptuous ‘Like Old Times’. Co-written by Brian Culbertson (who also plays keyboards) and with terrific guitar from the legendary Ray Parker Jr, this wonderful tune is everything smooth jazz is meant to be.