Denny Jiosa - Inner Voices (1996)

The liner notes claim that Denny Jiosa's Inner Voices was a product of Nashville, but there's nary a country lick to be heard as he finds a subtle perfection in paying tribute to obvious idols Wes Montgomery and Pat Metheny. While his crisp lines ring those tried and true bells and more, Jiosa sets himself apart from his influences by creating slick, catchy melodies and varying the trappings throughout. With its edgy machine-generated funk meets low register ivory pounding, the cleverly titled opening track "Groovinonymous" leads us to expect an urban extravaganza, but Jiosa mixes these with hot and heavy rock licks, then beautifully textured jazzy passages (like the smoky muted trumpet gem "Lights of the City") which coolly blend easy melodies with dreamy atmospheres and lighthearted percussive twists. Jiosa covers a lot of ground, but his unique approaches to a familiar sound makes his debut a keeper. -- Jonathan Widran