107 107 In the Shade

Album Review

Alex Bugnon's commercial pop-jazz output of the early to mid-1990s wasn't fantastic, but it did indicate that he had some potential as both a pianist/keyboardist and a composer. Generally more substantial than most of the other albums that smooth jazz stations played in 1991, the uneven, erratic 107 in the Shade is far from a gem, but has its moments. Bugnon gets into a pleasant, Joe Sample-ish groove on "Paris and May" and "When I Think About Home," whereas the much too brief "Fly, Spirit, Fly" hints at Pat Metheny. It was obvious that Sample was a major influence on Bugnon, although there were also traces of Ahmad Jamal in his playing. One of the CD's main flaws is Bugnon's tendency to overproduce — like other Bugnon releases, 107 in the Shade could have used a lot more improvising and a lot less producing and arranging. Despite a few memorable cuts, Shade really isn't worth the price of admission; it's clear that Bugnon is capable of much more.