Blue Winds

Album Review

Sax player Robert Kyle's third album continues down the same road as his second in that all the compositions on the set are his own. They are the standard lot, a couple of blues, some ballads, and a swinger or two. All are listenable, but not all are memorable. The ballads "Three Angels" and "Sweet Life" are pleasant and show conspicuously the similarity of Kyle's playing to that of tenor man Ernie Watts. Another fine track is the swinging "Sammy Boy," with a solid piano solo by Llew Matthews along with funky harmonica by Dale Spalding. These tracks further distinguish this album from Kyle's previous CD in that the latter was situated on the smooth side of the jazz spectrum. When Spalding (he's also on "Blues 4 Dr. Foot") and/or Riner Scivally are present, Kyle seems to be a lot more energized. Scivally's guitar on "Ism-Eddie" encourages Kyle to indulge in some fine up-tempo improvising. The other tracks, where only Kyle and the three-person rhythm section perform, are far less exciting and ear-grabbing. Nonetheless, Kyle is a fine player and has an excellent cast of characters around him on this CD, which is worth a listen.