Art Porter - Straight To The Point (1993)

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys the styles of smooth jazz saxophone greats, such as Warren Hill, Euge Groove, and Grover Washington, Jr. It is also excellent for picking up catchy licks and soloing ideas if you are a sax player. Art plays both soprano and alto saxes on the CD. His tone is crystal clear. He plays slow, soulful, and sultry. He plays fast and funky. He does it all on this CD! I like the variety in the moods of the songs and his style. Jeff Lorber produced the album, did the keyboard programming and most of the drum programming, which is very tasteful. A live drummer and percussionist play as well. Nathan East, the bassist from Fourplay, guests on two tracks. As usual, he really adds a groovy foundation. On three tracks, Ray Brown plays trumpet and compliments Art's playing very nicely. Paul Jackson, Jr. plays rhythm guitar on ten out of eleven tracks. One tune includes short choruses that are sung softly by two women (Valerie Pinkston and Vanciele Faggett). In another tune, you can hear Art Porter Sr. playing piano in the background. All musicans (and there are many more than I mentioned!)on this album "take a back seat" to Art. He is the only one who solos, but you can definitely hear talent behind him. I love this CD! It is not called "a greatest hits album", but in my opinion, it could be. I can play it in its entirety without ever wanting to skip songs. Unfortunatley, this CD is no longer being printed, and you will have to buy it used. I originally owned a tape of this when it first came out. I played it so much that I wore it out! I was recently forced to buy a used CD. I'll probably wear out the CD, too!