Alex Bugnon - 107 In the Shade (2011)

Tracklist

01. Paris In May
02. 107 In The Shade
03. Somewhere
04. Fly, Spirit, Fly
05. Heart Of New York
06. Back O' Town
07. When I Think About Home
08. So In Love
09. The Lone Crusader
10. Conversation Piece No 1

Alex Bugnon exhibits a high level of creativity and playfulness throughout this work, plenty of suggestive and smooth pieces, but signed with a very personal style. 107 in the shade, for instance, initiates with an exotic melody played in accordion. His French roots are shown in the first two tracks. Elegance and brightness would be the most appropriate terms to describe this notorious CD. Generally more substantial than most of the other albums that smooth jazz stations play, the uneven, erratic 107 in the Shade is far from a gem, but has its moments. Bugnon gets into a pleasant, Joe Sample-ish groove on "Paris and May" and "When I Think About Home," whereas the much too brief "Fly, Spirit, Fly" hints at Pat Metheny. It was obvious that Sample was a major influence on Bugnon, although there were also traces of Ahmad Jamal in his playing.