This young L.A. multi-instrumentalist jazz cat has cut chops working with various jazz legends, among them Bennie Maupin , Arthur Blythe , and Henry Grimes , but as if to prove his field if interest is much wider, he’s also played with Macy Gray and Perry Ferrell . This proves significant on this debut, where he begins with an early ‘60s jazz groove out of Coltrane and Davis, then adds dollops of soul and jazz rock to form a highly stylized, free-flowing, mostly-instrumental, vibey mood that’s as playful as it is light on the ears. (Though with the winsome, dusky voice he displays on “Mindy’s Song” and a few others, he should sing more.) At times, such as on the more traditional “Manya,” which keys on his lead upright bass, he risks sounding like background jazz, like you’re watching the Weather Channel or shopping in an inoffensive clothes store. But even here, his music’s swing and playful cheer hold sway, making Into the Sky a pleasant 47 minutes with enough imagination and a breezy air (and best of all, tons of exquisite strings and tickling piano) to pass muster. (porterrecords.com)
