SPYRO GYRA
The Deep End

Heads Up

Read the Jazzitude review of Spyro Gyra/Wrapped In a Dream

After 30 years on the contemporary jazz scene, Spyro Gyra releases its latest, their third CD for the Heads Up label, with a sound that is familiar yet freshly retooled by some of the experimentation of their last two releases. The Deep End will not shake anyone up who expects a smooth, groove-oriented Spyro Gyra, but they do produce music that is solid and puts much of the contemporary instrumental music being released nowadays to shame.

Spyro Gyra is still very much saxophonist Jay Beckenstein’s show, and he still maintains a pleasing, contemporary sax tone while eschewing the overly comfortable (and, to some, comforting) sax sound that has become the hallmark of smooth jazz. In addition, Beckenstein’s playing is head and shoulders above much of the new crop of contemporary saxophonists. Beckenstein’s bandmates are regular and solid contributers to the Spyro Gyra sound as well, with guitarist Julio Fernandez providing signature guitar work while also contributing interesting compositions as he did on both In Modern Times and Original Cinema. Bassist Scott Ambush provides two tracks, “Wiggle Room” and “Beyond the Rain” which suggest that he is adapting pop musical structures to a contemporary instrumental setting, and quite successfully. “Wiggle Room” provides a lively, somewhat nervous melodic intro featuring Dave Samuels on vibes before settling into a more comfortable, but still hyper, groove. Keyboard player Tom Schuman contributes only one original to the proceedings, “Wind Warriors,” but it is an attractive tune given an energetic edge by Fernandez’s guitar and some kinetic drumming by Joel Rosenblatt. Fernandez’s two tunes are very different in style and feel. “Eastlake Shuffle” is a radio-friendly pop instrumental whose groove recalls the Crusaders, while Beckenstein’s alto work is smooth without ever becoming cloying. “The Crossing” is a much more epic number, with a feel that is reminiscent of more open-ended fusion work, something from certain periods of Chick Corea, say, or guitarist Al DiMeola. The number also features Fernandez’ wordless vocals, which add texture to the piece.

As for Beckenstein, his contributions tend to be pretty solidly within the expectations of the group’s overall sound. “As You Wish” is a wordless R&B ballad, while “Soburg Sam” is a slice of poppy melody over a solid groove, a formula that is repeated on “Chippewa Street.” One thing that helps Spyro Gyra overcome the blasé sound of many of their smooth jazz contemporaries is the fact that they are a band and they play together as one. Their funky grooves ring true in large part because they are performed by real musicians—Ambush and Rosenblatt (with Ludwig Afonso sitting in on drums on “Soburg Sam”)—instead of being artificially created with loops. There’s nothing wrong with loops when used well, but if a repetitive loop forms the basis of your rhythm section, you could be headed for trouble.

Beckenstein breaks the mold somewhat on “Monsoon,” an Indian-flavored number that refuses to allow itself to slip into cliché. This is due in large part to the fact that while the melody is played as a sitar-sounding guitar/keyboard duet, the drums and percussion remain very Western, and when Beckenstein enters with a broad tenor sax sound, the piece takes on a much deeper flavor than the typical pop-meets-tandoori sound. Overall this is one of the most interesting tracks on The Deep End, and demonstrates that Spyro Gyra still have a few tricks up their collective sleeve, even after 30 years. This is solid music that, while pop-oriented, is still created by talented musicians who are putting their creativity into their music. If Spyro Gyra were merely some label marketing guy’s idea of a good instrumental band, they would have disappeared long ago. That they are still around and exploring new ideas demonstrates that, like fusion, smooth jazz started with some interesting ideas that were later hijacked by corporate honchos looking to capitalize on the next big thing. Give The Deep End a few spins in your CD player, and you too will see the light.