Featured Artist: Robert Tye

Jazz CD cover CD Title: Virtues Of The Well

Year: 1999

Record Label: Corridor Records

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Musicians: Robert Tye, Guitars/Jim Simonson: Bass/ David Taylor: drums and percussion/Mark Kieme: tenor sax/Chris Plansker : Piano / Lyman Woodward : Organ

Review: Without a doubt one of the more promising jazz guitarists to come about on the scene, Robert Tye displays not only an impressive display of melodic sensibility and technique, but impressive control of his chops. The 11 Tye originals show many creative sides, with tunes varying from mellow & ambient "night grooves" (not elevator music, the real thang), to straight forward bop and swing. The first tune My Vacation (at The Laundry Mat) is already a winner, and features not only a cool Jim Hall-ish melody, but gives way to some quick and furious jazz lines.

Trk. 2 "The Girl From South Walkerville", is reminiscent of recent Metheny records, with pianist Chris Lanksker matching Tye's dreamy lead line note for note. Again, Tye tastefully delivers quick and precise lines, all of which compliment and revisit the base melody; No trains off the track here, Tye is intelligent and keeps conscious of what he started with before he finishes somewhere else.

Track 3 (not intentionally moving in order of appearance) changes gears; "Okay" is a hokey and fun swinger that loosens the collar a bit, reminiscent of Joe Pass, featuring the base trio of Tye, drummer David Taylor and bassist Jim Simonson - yeah, they can swing, and well ! Try tracks 5, 9 and 11 on for size..lots of free jam that will make John McLaughlin and Mike Stern fans happy.

One of several things that made this an interesting Album was diversity yet continuity, Tye and crew's ability to introduce new age, jazz, swing, fusion and smooth soundscapes without the use of complex electronics and samples, and while maintaining a consistent vibe for the duration of the set-Just a great synergy and Tye's ability to lay down a cool tune. Robert Tye's playing contains several elements, very few cliché, with hints of not only jazz legends, but acoustic/electric tradesmen like McLaughlin, DiMeola, Metheny and Jim Hall.

This record is a keeper, suggested to fans of all kinds of jazz, not just guitar folks. ye Don't let humorous titles such as "Naked (Except For Clown Shoes)", "Debra Centerfold" and others fool you - Tye means business, but doesn't take himself too seriously. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Fred 'Starr' Gerantab

Copyright© 2001 JazzReview.com®. All Rights Reserved.