Despite the obvious comparisons that will be made with the late Wayman Tisdale, bass-player Julian Vaughn has burst onto the scene with a scintillating new recording, the appropriately titled ‘Breakthrough’. The album is something of a paradox as although it doesn’t bring anything that might be regarded as ‘new’ it does deliver, in the shape of rhythm, melody and a feel-good groove, a whole lot of what the smooth jazz community has been crying out for. ‘Breakthrough’ is also interesting for the involvement of the now ubiquitous Darren Rahn who at the time played a big part in crafting Tisdale’s signature sound. Here he co-writes and produces two tracks, plays sax on four more and as always brings his best to everything he touches.
A case in point is the hugely commercial opening tune ‘On Your Feet’. This up-tempo number is already blasting its way up the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio and, talking of commercially compelling cuts, check out the collection’s only cover, a rapturous rendition of the Whispers 1987 blockbuster ‘Rock Steady’ which is already destined to feature in my list of top ten covers for 2012.
Notching down the tempo ever so slightly ‘Ju Ju’s Groove’ gives the Vaughn the chance to lay it down in the way the title suggests he might and he keeps right on doing it with ‘No Matter’ that also serves as a sumptuous showcase for sax-man Marcus Anderson.
Not only does the hugely catchy ‘J’s Jammin’ restore the energy to warp factor ten but also finds Vaughn is fine form on bass. ‘Right On Time’, which is co-written by Vaughn and the rapidly rising Nicholas Cole, keeps the party going and when Cole returns to play keys on the pleasingly mid-tempo ‘The Thought Of You’ the mood changes to something altogether more reflective. Cole also looms large for the stunningly tender ‘Always Be Together’ that is enhanced by picture perfect backing vocals from Paula Saunders and, as things remain relaxed, the almost hypnotic quality of ‘I’ll Do It’ turns out to be a wonderful fit for the moody vocals of Anthony Saunders.
Arguably Saunders is even better for the urban groove of ‘Be My Girl’ that is a highpoint of the entire collection yet out on its own as the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the sublime title cut. Featuring Tobbi White Darks on vocals and with Rahn making his usual fulsome contribution on sax this massively soulful song is totally to die for.
With ‘Breakthrough’ Julian Vaughn has arrived and then some.
Check it out.