One of the most promising new artists on the tenor saxophone, New York-based Stacy Dillard (http://www.stacydillard.com) is just as impressive with his composing skills as he is in his playing. There's not a wasted note on "Elite State of Mind," and nor does any uniform boredom creep in.
Dillard's music combines the hook-laden and emotionally soothing qualities of smooth jazz with the genre's mesmerizing instrumental wizardry. The result is an album that'll appeal both to the masses and to, well, snobs. On the title track, Dillard's saxophone scales the heights of New York's tallest skyscrapers; it soars through the clouds as wonderfully rolling drums and tingling piano complete the picture of a beautiful city at night.
Although it clocks in at about an hour, the CD actually only has seven tracks; however, none of it is repetitive. Dillard's pieces change shape, or evolve, as they progress, slyly introducing new elements such as piano and bass. Check out how "Saturday" unfolds with its cool sax vibe and throbbing percussion, then introducing piano for its concluding jam.
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While Dillard's sax plays an important role on this album, it doesn't hog the spotlight. On "We Need Love," the wildly explosive tribal percussion actually takes center stage; it's a track that burns with fiery desire. Nevertheless, Dillard's saxophone does smoke on "We Need Love."
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