[.ca] State Of Grace

Non-stop fushion:
State of Grace contains non-stop smooth fushion. The title track is beautiful.

Non-stop fushion:
State of Grace contains non-stop smooth fushion. The title track is beautiful.

Mr. Fusion in Hyper-Drive...:
Jeff Lorber's name's been synonymous with what's hot, cool, funky and deft in FUSION for two decades. If you've seen him and his sidemen play then you know his skill as keyboardest; eclectic musician; composer and arranger is top-shelf and his commanding concert presence delivers The Goods. "IT'S a FACT" Lorber can be almost single-handedly credited with creating the fusion "genre" called DRIVING music. In STATE of GRACE, Jeff and his men warp-out with this smooth set of classy cruising tunes. WIDE OPEN SPACES opens these "players" with an anthem showcasing Lorber's signature style on Fender Rhodes electric piano. Solid soprano sax by Gary Meek, puncutated by some funky phased-trumpet synthesizer sounds, melds melodiously into a "rag bag" similar to Dave Grusin's opener on the classic MOUNTAIN DANCE. Similar but different. As is the rest of an excursion Lorber himself describes:"into the world of 'retro' keyboards for a raw, fresh, warm, acoustic, funky," trip into STATE of GRACE. Mr.Fusion's brand of techno-bopper,keyboard-based jazz-rock hyper-drives us there. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy...

Lorber fans - This one's a winner:
I've just finished listening to "State of Grace" and it reminds me a lot of Jeff Lorber's more improvisational fusion efforts of his earlier years. I have his early 80's albums "Galaxian" and "Soft Space" which share with this one well-crafted arrangements and get-down funky jazz. The song "Katherine" is skillfully remade from "Soft Space" and is an EXCELLENT road tune (both versions are, for that matter). It's a shame the older albums aren't commercially available, but anyone hungering for a taste of vintage Lorber keyboard work will finish with this album full and content for some time. It's a great listen from end to end. There's an endless array of nice musical touches such as bass clarinet accompaniment on two tracks, and sax work by the awesome Art Porter and Lorber protege Dave Koz on others. Don't miss out on this one. Good on ya, Jeff.

Jeff Lorber is the "Man":
If you like funk and fusion jazz, he is the man. All of Jeff's CD are great, and it is my opinion he has no bad cut's. I think you will enjoy this music now and for years to come.

• Wide Open Spaces
• PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
• State of Grace
• Bring It On
• Cat Paws
• Katherine
• Hearts on Fire
• Moonterrace
• Island of Temples
• Deep Ellum