Scott Wilkie - Boundless (1999)

Keyboardist Scott Wilkie's debut recording is an agreeable collection of melodic, pop-jazz ensemble pieces that are hospitable almost to a fault. Wilkie's upbeat, eager-to-please approach serves nearly every selection sunny-side up, and the prevailing cheerfulness makes more-subdued pieces, such as the piano-focused "Reverie" and "Song for Shari," welcome respites. Still, it's hard to fault Wilkie's intentions, and when he chooses to bypass electric keyboards (which sound a bit dated at times) or remembers to lock the saxophonists out of the studio, his compositions rise a notch above standard smooth-jazz fare. Guitar-supported tracks, such as "Nothing Yet" and "Poolside," are among this disc's better offerings. Guest players include Russ Freeman, Nathan Brown, and John Patitucci. -- Terry Wood