-Fire is the new urban / smooth jazz collection released by Boosweet Records featuring four of the hottest modern day guitarists including Vernon Neilly, Morris O'Connor, Kevin Chokan and Miguel Mega. The set contains three tracks from each artist which build on their already incredible success these artists have achieved with R'n'B icons such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Billy Paul and The Jazz Crusaders to name but a few. The quailty of the performances needs no introduction.
All of the tracks were self penned by the artists with the exception of Freddie Hubbard's classic 'Little Sunflower' performed by Morris O'Connor which is an early George Benson type mid-tempo groove with clever chord riffs underpinned by a heavy bass accent and rock steady drumming.
His track 'B'Town' is played on an acoustic flat-top and is a Peter White mid tempo affair with cascading synths providing a tropical feel to this beautiful smooth jazz cut.
'Inside Out' is another acoustic track which has a simplistic melody draped by the predominent bass synth which harmonises with Morris' angelic playing and more music for a relaxing evening in.
Vernon Neilly's tracks are more urban with use of an electric guitar sound reminiscent of Larry Coryell or Jay Graydon and the use of a heavy sustain on 'Flight To Ecstacy' gives it an almost Carlos Santana feel and the long sustained notes he achieved on his Yamaha on tracks like 'Samba Pa Ti' and 'Europa'. This track has a driving melody where Vernon exchanges lead riffs with the dynamic Juan Nelson lead bass sound and a marvellous piano break by Cori Jacobs in the Herbie Hancock mould.
'Moonlight In Paradise' is a mid tempo cut with Vernon exchanging melodic duties with saxman Rick Keller on this Larry Carlton meets Kirk Whalum sounding track which radiates an infectious melody which demands attention. 'Passion Quest' continues in the same vein.
Kevin Chokan's sound is very hip and offers a 70's Tower of Power appeal with the very funky 'Do Da' which has all the appeal of those great funk days of George Clinton and Funkedelic, Blue Magic and early George Duke albums. Roger Smith of Tower of Power actaully plays piano and organ on this track.
'Fanci Panz' continues with Kevin's urban sound coupled with the trumpet of Tim Chokan providing a Tom Brown / Miles Davis harmony to this track which sounds almost Isaac Hayes at times. Kevin's guitar licks and rhythmic wah-wah personally provide me with a 'trip down memory lane' to those great funk albums of the seventies.
'Passin Thru' is another smooth jazz track with Kevin playing on a nylon strung guitar in the Earl Klugh / Ricardo Silvieri ilk and this showcase with the Chris Botti sounding trumpet of Tim Chokan is easy listening smooth jazz personified.
Miguel Mega's tracks add more a free-form exchange appeal to the tracks on offer with the uran sounding 'Wooded' with rasping guitar lead in the Kevin Eubanks vein with a thread of similarity to Slash.
'Rice'N'Beans' is a Weather Report sound with a Jaco Pastorious fretless bass played by Andrei Galli coupling with a soprano sax of Mauricio Fernandes giving it a 'Black Market' feel with a synergy of Herbie Hancock piano break played by Daneil Teles. Miguel keeps this fusion on track with searing lead riffs.
'Sun Down Blues' provides a Ry Cooder / Keb'Mo' blues affair which is a welcome addition to a wonderful collection of featured guitarist blended exquisitly by the Boosweet Records team. An album of variety and appeal.