Duncan Millar - Good To Go (2001)

Tracklist

01 - Super-Real Feel
02 - Brite Life
03 - The Groove
04 - Good To Go
05 - High Sierra
06 - Southside Groove
07 - Go Fly Your Kite
08 - One Warm Day
09 - Sci-Fi Hi
10 - Captain Of Her Heart

Good to Go is a contemporary groove-oriented CD that takes pianist Duncan Millar to another level. Hot on the heels of his successful debut for the Instinct label, Dream Your Dreams, Millar follows its lead with ten fresh tracks that represent both a progression as well as a return to his jazz roots. Joined by Tony Campbell, Chris Standring, Chanan Hanspal, Jacko Peake, Arden Hart, and Damon Brown, Millar performs an outstanding set. There is an updated version of Rodney Franklin's song titled "The Groove," and the CD also features labelmate and guitarist Chris Standring on the opening track, "Super Real Feel," and on "Go Fly Your Kite." Radio friendly and smooth as silk, both songs are contagious with their laid-back warmth and head-bobbing grooves. There is just enough musical diversity within this smoothfest so as not to be lobotomy music with special notice given to Millar's piano styling on "The Groove," the Rick Braun-flavored trumpet playing of Arden Hart on "Captain of Her Heart," and Jacko Peake's soprano sax and flute performance on "Brite Life." Duncan Millar has changed his musical face completely since he came on the London scene as A-One; however, the piano influence of Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea are still readily apparent. But Millar is "good to go" on this one and his international fan base is sure to stay satisfied if he keeps moving in this righteous musical direction. - Paula Edelstein