In Modern Times

When you consider that 1979 was the year that launched Spyro Gyra onto the pop charts with their number one hit "Morning Dance," for what was essentially a new style of jazz, their achievements seem all the more astounding. With the release of In Modern Times, the group commemorates 25 years of recording and a move to Heads Up International with this fresh, new collection. The enhanced CD, complete with a video and biography, features the talents of its co-founder, Jay Beckenstein, on saxophones, Tom Schuman on keyboards, Julio Fernandez on guitars, Scott Ambush on bass, and Joel Rosenblatt on drums. The 12 original concepts written by members of the group, the inimitable Chuck Loeb, and co-writers Jeremy Wall and Phil Magallanes, keep the listening interesting, sweet, and real. The opening track, "After Hours," is a sultry tune featuring orchestral enhancement, subtle horn charts, and creates a mood that signals the listener is in for a great time. Their retro soul tribute to Grover Washington, Jr., " "Groovin' for Grover" features an excellent soprano saxophone melody by Jay Beckenstein and glistens brilliantly among this great array of contemporary jazz gems. The crown jewel, however, is "Florida Straits," a fiery, danceable, Latin jam. Beckenstein's sax playing lights a fire under Julio Fernandez' Carlos Santana-influenced guitar riffs, who cuts loose on a solo that sets the song ablaze. Along with percussionist David Quarles and drummer Joel Rosenblatt, this descarga helps to set In Modern Times apart from previous chart makers by Spyro Gyra. Another great song is "East River Blue," which features the bluesy bop and soulful resonance of Beckenstein's sax lines and the excellent B-3 organ solo by Tom Schuman. This enhanced CD is dynamic and flows as if self-propelled because of the superior technology, well-written songs, tight horn charts, eclectic grooves, and exceptional contemporary jazz, fusion, and R&B-based performers who mix various elements into a bold, modern sound. — Paula Edelstein.

In Modern Times is a different kind of release for Spyro Gyra. Jay Beckenstein seems to be searching for a new sound for the organisation he has led for nearly 25 years, though that observation is not detectable on the three very radio-friendly tracks that lead off this CD. From there on, the contributions from the other members are more pronounced and a bit more progressive than the usual smooth-jazz fare from this former Buffalo bar band. From bassist Scott Ambush's lead role on the melody to "The River Between" to guitarist Julio Fernandez's long flowing featured line on "Open Door" to drummer Joel Rosenblatt's very Crusaders-like "Planet J", featuring guest trombonist Andrew Lippman, it's obvious that musically, Spyro is becoming less of Beckenstein's saxophone band, and more of a democratic group. But the most surprising tunes, from a compositional standpoint, were written by the leader, including the Santana-inspired "Florida Straits" and "East River Blue", the latter recalling the crime-jazz music Duke Ellington and Henry Mancini pioneered in the early 1960s. — Mark Ruffin.