Kim Waters - Someone To Love You (2002)

Shanachie makes a mighty bold assertion on the CD insert that Kim Waters is the creator of "the sexiest sound in smooth urban jazz." Hype? Not if the saxman lives up beautifully to the billing, and his sound is pretty darn sexy and romantic on the coolest of these ballads. He made his mark on the genre with a supremely gentle soprano sound, and tracks like "You Know That I Love You" (featuring those all-important radio-ready female backing vocals) and "Heaven Sent" blend this dreamy seduction ability with the slickest in modern-meets-retro-soul grooves and ambience. The similarly likeable "Someone to Love You" informs listeners that the sexiness translates perfectly to the alto sax experience. All of that is quite expected from Waters, who never disappoints, but the real fun of this disc is the way Waters is loosening up and extending that love to the dancefloor. "Waterfall" thumps and grinds like an atmospheric disco hit, Waters' alto textures jumping happily over the type of moody rhythmic foundation Joyce Cooling finds so inviting. "The Ride" is a little gentler, falling in between the bedroom eyes and the last dance of the night. The final track, billed as a "bonus," is "Davey D's Penthouse Mix" of "In the House," an even more groove-intensive retro-thumper written and played by Waters and labelmate/guitarist Chuck Loeb. ~ Jonathan Widran