Craig Chaquico - Shadow And Light (2002) CD Rip

Tracklist

01.Innocent Kiss
02.Westside Hotel
03.Luminosa
04.Hurry Home
05.Keepers Of The Flame
06.Afterglow
07.Shadow And Light
08.Could We Fall In Love
09.Compared To What
10.Cafe Carnival (Sax in the Sun Remix)

It's no wonder that many former guitar rockers like Peter White, Jeff Golub, and Craig Chaquico are succeeding in smooth jazz. They have a sharp, alluring energy to their smooth jazz licks and rhythm playing that's filtered through years of generating the manic energy needed for arena rock. This former Jefferson Starship member may be the most tasteful of the three, for in addition to highly charged tracks like "Innocent Kiss" and "Cafe Carnival," Chaquico has seemingly mastered the art of crafting hooks that are at once catchy like a good pop tune, but sophisticated enough to provide interesting chord changes for dynamic soloing. To call this 10-song set radio-friendly is an understatement, as programmers will feast on "Westside Hotel," "Afterglow," "Could We Fall in Love," and the too cool "Luminosa," but there's plenty of substance for lovers of good guitar playing. Chaquico's longtime collaborator Ozzie Ahlers also shines throughout, with some burning organ on "Hurry Home" and a surprising tribute to piano legend Les McCann on the classic "Compared to What." -- Mark Ruffin