Kim Waters - One Special Moment (1999)

The title of Kim Waters' 1998 Shanachie debut, Love's Melody, is a perfect reflection of the saxman's very simple and direct philosophy about composing and playing: "There's got to be a perfect mixture of romance, groove, and a strong melody that you can hum along to after the first listen." A longtime staple on R&B/quiet storm stations over the course of eight recordings beginning with his 1988 Warlock Records debut, Sweet and Saxy, Waters -- working with labelmate/guitarist Chuck Loeb and composer/producer David Mann -- shifted gears on Love's Melody toward a picture-perfect smooth jazz sound that built on his roots. The similarly spirited and passionate One Special Moment builds on that success with numerous picture-perfect tunes primed to inherit that throne. While Loeb only appears on the two songs he co-wrote with Waters and produced -- the lilting and seductive "Secrets Told" and the funk-drenched retro-soul-blues gem "Up All Night" -- the guitarist's influence is felt throughout the disc. Waters worked with Mann on the cool shuffling hip-hop-influenced opening track, "Hudson River Nights" (which features Waters beautifully modulating his soprano verse by verse, as well as a cool flügelhorn harmony line by Jim Hynes), as well as the irresistibly melodic and dreamy title track. Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist who is also one of the genre's great veteran artists, wrote and produced "Come to Me," highlighted by the unique blend of a throbbing bass and sax-driven melody swirled with Gregg Karukas' synthesized orchestra grandeur. ~ Jonathan Widran