A new CD from Brian Simpson is a highlight of any contemporary jazz year and this is certainly the case with ‘Just What You Need’ that was released April 23 on the Shanachie label. It is the fifth solo project from this composer, producer, keyboard player and prolific studio musician who for almost two decades has not only enjoyed the distinction of being the musical director for Dave Koz but also contributed richly to the music of George Duke, Teena Marie and Janet Jackson.
This connection with Jackson is significant. With the exception of his sumptuous cover of her ‘Because Of Love’ (which can be found on the almost forgotten 1995 release ‘Closer Still’) Simpson has always, and up until now, favoured populating his albums with all original music. ‘Just What You Need’ finds him taking a slightly different approach as despite including eight new tunes he nevertheless adds two well-chosen covers.
Take for example a silky smooth version of Jobim’s ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ for which Simpson is joined by his old sparring partner Dave Koz or the Des’ree smash ‘You Gotta Be’ where he hooks up with soulful vocalist Jeff Robinson, guitarist Ray Fuller and bass player extraordinaire Larry Kimpell.
In fact a veritable who’s who of smooth jazz talent is on hand throughout and none more so than with the opener, ‘Wherever You Go’, that finds Jonathan Butler in fine form on guitar and Alex Al laying down the bass line like only he can. This charming number is a real delight and much the same can be said of the decidedly chilled out ‘Soul Embrace’ for which Nate Harasim shares the writing credits and Yarone Levy shines on guitar.
‘Castaway’ is another example of Simpson at his easy grooving best and when the legendary Gerald Albright steps up to add a distinctive sax solo to the very edgy ‘D’Groove’ he delivers a performance that will live in the memory. Elsewhere rising sax star Elan Trotman (who is currently making waves with his own CD, ‘Tropicality’) brings his fulsome tenor tones to the mellifluous title cut that was co-written by Simpson and red-hot producer Michael Broening.
When Trotman returns for the sublime ‘A Love Like This’ the result is just as good yet, make no mistake; this is a high quality collection that is totally devoid of weak links. That said, everyone has favorites and among mine is the fabulous ‘Emerald City’, which Simpson composed in collaboration with the in demand Nicholas Cole. With a groove-laden attitude of the sort that Simpson has made entirely his own this one will play and play but just as good is the stunning ‘In The Rain’. Sexy in the extreme and with Marc Antoine peerless on guitar this one is a certainty for my top tracks of 2013.