Fattburger - Time Will Tell (1989)

A noted Pacific Beach, CA, critic once hailed San Diego's smooth jazz supergoup as the ultimate in Jacuzzi jazz in reference to the group's mostly easygoing way with a sweet melody. It was time to fire up the suds again for this gem, another solid Mission Bay-breezy collection that helped increase their following not only in Southern CA but throughout the country. Guitarist Steve Laury's sugary gem "Monica" is the quintessential Fatt tune -- elegant, expressive, and super hummable and mellifluous. But there are some Brazilian influences at work on both "Amazon" (featuring some jungle percussion by Tommy Aros) and "Any Two Can Play," co-written by Laury and Ron Satterfield from Checkfield. And then Carl Evans Jr. and the boys funk it out with the sassy, fusionistic "Who Put the Meat in my Bed" and "Back to Jersey." The most memorable cut here is a soulful reworking of the early '70s R&B classic, "Oh Girl" (Chi-Lites) featuring a lush vocal by Ed Graves and the smooth sax of Gerald Albright. The only dull moment comes from keyboardist Evans' vocal on the hackneyed "Golden Girl," but it's a sin easily forgiven among the joys. -- Jonathan Widran