What do you get when you combine a soulful sax with a funky harmonica?  You get the unique sound of Dino Soldo’s new CD, Balance.  Dino, best known for his position as second sax man for Down to the Bone, has ventured into the instrumental arena.  His two previous solo CDs were vocals, but this one is pure music.  Joined by fellow artists Mindi Abair, Sheila E., Chris Standring, Ernie Watts, Lenny Castro and others, Dino really stretches out and shows what he can do, and takes his listeners on a journey back in time.  Get ready for 12 tracks of blues-infused music.

The opening track, “Eddie-ism,” combines jazz and blues.  Dino really cuts loose on this one and provides a great vibe.  Its fast-paced melody really grabs you and the subtle Hammond B-3 organ adds to the groove.  “Balancing” is a great blend of sax and harmonica, and there definitely is balance between the funk and mellow in this track, too.  The layering of the instruments is a terrific sound.  If you like the old time feel of going to a club, then “Jitterbuggin’” will take you there.  Dino definitely captures the swing feel which doesn’t allow you to stay in your seat!  “Wild Magnolia” is dark, smoldering and enticing.  His sax leads the way and then takes a break as the harmonica fills in.  This really is a great mix.

If you have ever seen Dino, you would recognize his signature hat.  The next tune, “Under the Brim,” is all Dino.  It’s playful and crisp.  His sax sound is strong, fun and melodic.  The drum beat and keyboards give this a very old jazz/blues sound.  “Without Your Love,” a beautiful vocal featuring Holly Palmer, reminds you of a warm summer day.  It’s old time blues meets jazz in its finest form.  “Stand Alone” features more of that great harmonica in the opening notes.  Dino’s tenor sax is smooth and silky and really lets you experience his talent away from the funk!  But bring on that funk in “Hey, Man!”  And bring on more of the organ sound alongside the tenor sax.  The groove on this track is infectious.  I believe that this is my favorite track.  Memories of old New Orleans jazz clubs come to mind with the sound of the organ and sax on “The Gum Shoe.”  Dino really knows how to bring back that flavor in his style and sound. 

Get ready to get your groove on with “Bam, Bam.”  The sax leads you into a rousing beat-driven tune, again with the harmonica adding depth.  When these two instruments are side-by-side, it’s an amazing sound not heard elsewhere.  Very unique and pleasing to the ears.  “Down Easy” is a light and breezy tune.  The harmonica takes the lead on this one.  After the smoky sounds, this one adds some fun and an almost weightless feeling.  It has a terrific melody.  The closing song is “Love Eternal.”  It’s a combination of a samba-like beat overlaid with a sax/harmonica melody.  It is an alluring piece, which takes on an almost classical feel in some parts.  The feeling from this is one of “get ready…there’s more of me to come.”

Since most of us are used to Dino in the funk-driven area with Down to the Bone, this CD definitely shows what Dino can do.  The sax and harmonica, though I wasn’t too sure about the sound when I first heard about it, is a terrific blend.  The original songs are great.  I think that Dino has succeeded in achieving what he set out to do…Balance. 

- Bonnie Schendell