David Benoit :Fuzzy Logic

DAVID BENOIT
FUZZY LOGIC

GRP

Fuzzy Logic represents David Benoit's attempt to get an earthier, I even daresay funkier, sound than most of his recordings have presented. He's not the first smooth jazz artist to try to pump some edge into his most recent work, and he very likely won't be the last. Benoit has emphasized that he was interested in working on material with a "groove" on this CD, as well as featuring a horn section and the Hammond organ. And the album does indeed have these elements, but they are still a bit toned down. Don't expect a Tower of Power-style horn section attack or a Jimmy Smith Hammond B-3 workout. Still, Fuzzy Logic is a bit of a stylistic departure for Benoit and represents his liveliest and most interesting work in some time.

The opening track, "Snap!" declares that we are in somewhat new territory as it opens with Rick Braun's programmed Latin percussion and a piano bass line that's a bit reminiscent of Joe Jackson's "Another World". Though the chords are very mellow and comforting, the background harmonies are stated by a trombone section (Nick Lane overdubbed) rather than the strings you might expect to hear on a Benoit album. Still, the strings are sort of there in the synth programmed background arrangement, even though they are very light. The title track opens with some acoustic piano comping before bringing in the rhythm section and horns (a full section this time) for a funkified workout that's catchy and arresting. Benoit's acoustic piano work on this track reminds me of Ramsey Lewis a bit, with its emphasis on creating a joyful mood rather than technical wizardry for its own sake. The Hammond organ is there, too, but it's pretty far back in the mix.

"Someday Soon" is a pretty Latin-influenced ballad track, full of percussion effects. Benoit's piano is at the fore, though, and his playing is very attractive on this piece. Though it's a somewhat light piece, I don't think Benoit would be labeled so strongly as a "smooth" player were most of his work like this. The Ramsey Lewis influence comes out again in Benoit's cover of rock band Smashmouth's hit "Then the Morning Comes". First, it reminds me very much of the way Lewis' trio made a point of always including a "fun" song in their set ("The 'In' Crowd", "Hang on Sloopy", "Wade In the Water"). This could certainly be classified the same way, and Benoit treats it just the way Lewis treated his bluesy rock-influenced numbers-as a blues/gospel-style workout with a strong backbeat and a celebratory atmosphere. This is sure to be a strong part of Benoit's live performances for some time to come.

Basically, the album runs from groove to groove with a ballad every few tracks to balance the record out. "Reflections" is an early-morning-cup-of-coffee-with-a-great-view-taking-stock-of-one's-life number with coloration provided by French horn, oboe, and Flute (courtesy of Tim Weisberg) as well as some lovely vibraphone work by Larry Bunker. "Coming Up for Air" is co-composed by Down to the Bone's Stuart Wade, who helped produce the entire recording along with Rick Braun and Benoit himself. The most interestingly titled track is "War of the S.U.V.'s", and the song doesn't disappoint, with Braun providing muted trumpet, Weisberg along on flute and a sax solo by Andy Suzuki. It's a really solid Benoit composition, and provides much more energy than one might expect. The penultimate track, "Tango in Barbados" is another number strongly influenced by Stuart Wade, and though it isn't really a tango at all, it has an appealing melody and set of chord changes that make it an interesting listening experience. Though the closing "One Dream At A Time" written for Benoit's recently born daughter is a wee bit cloying, it does have one of those melodies that tug at the heartstrings. You have to admire Benoit for avoiding slopping the strings on this one.

Fuzzy Logic certainly isn't a major jam album, but that definitely isn't what Benoit was going for. As a change of pace from his usual work and a fairly solid album in a funkier, bluesier vein, it succeeds quite well.