Doug Jones is no newcomer to the scene. In a career that now spans over 30 years this Connecticut based saxophonist has plied his trade from Newport to Manhattan and Boston to South America. His band, The Doug Jones Group, has been performing its distinct brand of smooth jazz throughout New England for the last 16 years while as a recording artist Doug has the albums ‘Heart And Soul’ and ‘Shades Of Gray’ already under his belt. Recently he made that three with the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Top Down’. Not only is it a fine showcase for his considerable talents but, with ten all original compositions, is also worthy of a closer look.
The CD opens with the zesty ‘Suspense’ where guitarist Rick Handville sets things up nicely for Jones to really shine. Much the same can be said of the up beat title cut yet truth to tell Jones is often at his best when treading a more tranquil path. Take for instance the magical ‘Talking In My Sleep’ that from mellow beginnings rises to a jazzy crescendo or the equally beguiling ‘Almost Summer’, which provides easy grooving promise of sunshine filled days to come.
Of course autumn follows summer like night follows day and with his own vision of ‘Autumn’ Jones delivers a mid tempo smooth jazz ballad of considerable substance. Elsewhere, and as befits a performer who has enjoyed success in Venezuela, Jones proves how easily he can slip into a Latin groove. This is particular so with ‘One Last Dance’ and again with the soothing lilt of ‘Bella Luna’ which is right up there with the best that ‘Top Down’ has to offer.
Jones again assumes a turned down disposition for ‘Girl With The Brown Eyes’ although, aided and abetted by drummer Frank Giguere and bass player Craig Garfinkel, he quickly shifts gears to herald in ‘Walking With Jack’. Starting out in swing style it’s a tune which morphs into into something altogether more bluesy and as Jones closes out the collection with ‘Better Days’ one is left with the distinct impression that here is a guy who really knows contemporary jazz.