WLOQ Smooth Jazz Under The Stars
Orlando, FL
April 30, 2005

When Jeff Lorber hit the contemporary jazz scene in the 70s, the name of his band was Jeff Lorber Fusion. Onstage in the 21st century the fusion part is still upfront. Most artists playing on the smooth jazz field cut loose onstage and show all the facets of their music and showmanship that they have to subdue in the studio, but Lorber takes it one step further. He gives you some familiar favorites and recent hits, but in the process you get a taste of the "Smooth Jazz Road Not Taken": fierce chops, lots of improvisational soloing, and innovative instrumentation. This band is not afraid to cut loose and rock out or jazz it up. At an outdoor concert with a $5 ticket price the crowd was younger and the atmosphere was casual. Lorber and the band brought them to their feet several times and won over more than a few new fans in the process.

The gear onstage includes a real Fender Rhodes and a B3, a good indication that this is gonna be a different sort of set. The opening song confirms that feeling. It's a stretched out solo-heavy version of “The Underground,” an uptempo fusion-tinged jam from Worth Waiting For that is followed by “Tune 88,” a song from the fusion era Water Sign that he has re-recorded for Flipside. This was the first of many times that Jeff got out from behind the keyboards and cut loose on guitar, spicing it up with some searing fusion solos. “Everybody Knows That” and "What It Is" featured extended solos from David Mann with Lorber seamlessly switching from keyboard to guitar and, at times, appearing to play both. Crowd pleaser "Ain't Nobody" and "Ooh La La," the new single, followed before the band ventured into some really innovative territory -- an extended jam band type interlude and the searing retro fusion “Right Off.”

The musicianship throughout was spectacular. Saxophonist David Mann, a solo artist in his own right, was showcased throughout, even treading on hard bop territory during some of his solos. An extended B-3/Rhodes jam duet was a highlight. Drummer Joel Taylor and Nate Phillips on bass got to show their stuff too, and Lorber fans got to see that he has the chops on guitar as well as keyboards. All in all, this was one brilliant, high-intensity, high-integrity set from one of the masters of the genre. No smarmy interludes, onstage posing or evocations to hug your honey during the slow songs. With Lorber you get exactly what you should expect from a musician of that caliber: stellar musicianship, standout songs and mesmerizing moments throughout. This music can be amazing. Lorber is one of the artists who shows you exactly how.

- Shannon West