Peter White - Glow (2001) [SACD]

The smooth-jazz acoustic-guitar star gets his R&B groove on throughout many tracks on this beautifully recorded disc, and not just on the obvious tunes like the sneaky Isley Brothers cover, "Who's That Lady" (with Kirk Whalum cooking on sax), and the old Temptations number, "Just My Imagination," but also on the very funky "Turn It Out," with sax man Euge Groove, and the Latin-tinged "Bueno Funk," with Steve Cole on the horn. The rest of the album is about as dependable and complete an album White has put together since the promise he showed with Basia in the mid-'80s, which is to say smooth-jazz radio and fans are sure to be all over his thoughtful melodies and tasteful arrangements. Other guest stars include trumpeter Rick Braun, the ubiquitous keyboardist Jeff Lorber, and saxophonist Dave Koz, who warms the title ballad. More tracks sure to please fans of the very popular guitarist include "Pedro Blanco," and "Baby Steps." -- Mark Ruffin