You can call it "smooth jazz" or "Adult Contemporary" or, is in the case of the opening cut, "Summer Time," even folk, but the crisp, soothing guitar work of Robert Tardik (http://www.roberttardik.com) defies categorization.
Balancing a number of influences, Tardik has an eclectic palate that adds spice to these laid-back instrumentals. Tracks like "Salsa Nights" has a striking Latin pulse, punctuated by horns, that is hypnotic to the ear. You fall under Tardik's spell. "Salsa Nights" paints such vivid imagery in the brain that lyrics are not necessary. There's a sense of liberation in "Salsa Nights," the sound of inhibitions fall by the wayside, that is intoxicating.
Tradik can segue from something as fiery and passionate as "Salsa Nights" to the tranquility of "That's a Strut" without losing a beat. The cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold" should help Tradik find a larger audience; it's nearly identical to the original, the biggest difference being that you don't hear Sting. Stripped of Sting's voice, though, it's truly a revelation, showing what a work of art "Fields of Gold" is, transcending the definition of pop. Tardik does it again on his version of Madonna's "La Isla Bonita," making it haunting and cinematic. Gorgeous.
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But Tardik on his own is already special and compelling. "A Beautiful Sad Song" is lush and drop-dead pretty.
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