Chuck Loeb - Listen (1999)

Chuck Loeb stands out among contemporary guitarists, with his bright sound, crystal-clear octaves, and crisp rhythms. He covers a lot of musical ground on Listen, ranging from gently propulsive ballads like "Geraldine" and "Love Is All" to soul grooves like "Silver Star" and the rousing, extroverted play of "High Five" and "Right Down Broadway." You can feel the empathy between Loeb and his guests, including pianists Mitchell Forman and Bob James, bassist John Patitucci, and saxophonist Kim Waters. As well as crafting a series of strong original tunes, Loeb can create surprising covers. He turns Michael Jackson's "Rock with You" into a moody, touching ballad. --Adam Rains

Personnel: Chuck Loeb (guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, drum programming); Carmen Cuesta (vocals); Julio Fernandez (guitar); David Mann (flute, saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lawrence Feldman (flute, saxophone); Gary Keller (flute, tenor saxophone); Kim Waters, Bill Evans (soprano saxophone); Jay Beckenstein, Walter Beasley (alto saxophone); Jim Pugh (baritone saxophone, trombone); Jim Hynes, Larry Lunetta (trumpet, flugelhorn); Howard Howard (French horn); Birch Johnson (trombone); Mike Ricchiuti (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, synthesizer); Mitchel Forman, Bob James (piano); Jim Beard (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); John Patitucci (acoustic bass); Wolfgang Haffner (drums, cymbals); Lionel Cordew, Brian Dunne (drums); David Charles (percussion).