Accidental Sugar

how come not all "smooth jazz" sounds like this?

     

How come not all smooth jazz sounds like this? author: John Book, Music For America Upon first listen, Joe Taylor could be called smooth jazz, but his guitar playing shows someone with experience and a sense of space and style that is generally something you'll hear on music more extravagant. Accidental Sugar (Moonwatcher) is the kind of title that is perfect for the quiet storm, and he sets the pace with the opening track, "Damage". The album goes through the moods and motions, where they would all sound perfect on a Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan or Gerald Albright album. There are times when he'll play with a Latin flair, other times he'll blues it up, and he's capable of handling everything with care. When one hears him, one knows that this is a true musician and arranger in every sense of the word, and fans of mellowed out guitar (playing a mixture of jazz and soul) will appreciate this greatly. The big surprise is the cover of Gino Vanelli's "I Just Wanna Stop", featuring vocals from Al B. Sure!, where his voice has matured and he now sounds a bit like Maxwell. After hearing this, all I have to say is where's the full length album? Sure! should get Taylor and the rest of the guys to back him up. Put this on the radio, guys. Accidental Sugar may end up creating the kind of sugar that isn't so accidental, and perhaps that's why Taylor designed the album the way he did, from the gentle intentional kisses of "Damage" to the afterglow of "Do You Remember?" The desired effect is nice, whether you concentrate on Taylor and the musicianship, or the mood of the music to take you to a world of tranquility. If this is supposed to be smooth jazz, how come not all smooth jazz sounds like this?