Conversation (2012)

Leaving behind the downtempo electronic approach of 2010's Earthglow, pianist David Benoit returns to a more traditional contemporary jazz vibe on 2012's Conversation. Once again working with producer Clark Germain, Benoit has put together a more organic, swinging sound this time around. To these ends, we get the R&B-infused Latin number "Feelin' It" as well as Benoit's take on the Vince Guaraldi-sounding theme to the film Diary of a Wimpy Kid featuring guitarist Jeff Golub. Similarly engaging are such cuts as the roiling ... Read More

Leaving behind the downtempo electronic approach of 2010's Earthglow, pianist David Benoit returns to a more traditional contemporary jazz vibe on 2012's Conversation. Once again working with producer Clark Germain, Benoit has put together a more organic, swinging sound this time around. To these ends, we get the R&B-infused Latin number "Feelin' It" as well as Benoit's take on the Vince Guaraldi-sounding theme to the film Diary of a Wimpy Kid featuring guitarist Jeff Golub. Similarly engaging are such cuts as the roiling spy-movie funk of "Q's Motif" and the jazz-funk of "Let's Get Ready" with saxophonist David Sills. One of the main draws here, of course, is the title track composition that Benoit culled from the last movement of his suite "Music for Two Trios." The track showcases a classical trio featuring pianist Robert Theis and a jazz organ trio led by Benoit trading sections and going head to head on this cinematic and rambling "conversation" piece. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi Read Less