Whether it is a lush contemporary jazz setting or a vocal tune that could've come right out of the classic Brazilian songbook, Dave Spinner takes the listener on an eye-opening trip through various jazz forms on his fine debut CD, "Oceans & Islands." Whatever the style, Spinner proves he's more than adept at navigating jazz' many tributaries on this 7-track collection. Beginning with "Bouncin'," Spinner kicks things off with a radio-ready R&B influenced contemporary jazz tune, followed by "Dinji", a sun-drenched take on Brazilian vocal jazz. But before the album gets too laid-back, Spinner shifts gears with "Lobster Montuno," a spirited and rhythmically complex Latin jazz jam, featuring a Caribbean horn arrangement as authentic as it is assured. Elsewhere, Spinner's keyboard mastery comes to the forefront with exploring and dynamic solos that breathe new life into the traditional piano-trio style "Sweet & Lovely," or raises the roof, as on the swinging Hammond organ workout, "In Your Pocket." Whatever the style, Dave Spinner's excellent CD, "Oceans & Islands" is an exemplary showcase of jazz vocabulary from a bandleader as musically insightful as he is astute.
-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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