Illumination by Jamie Craig

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Jamie Craig’s second CD, Illumination, is a cross between jazz-rock and smooth-jazz.  His background as a former rock-and-roll bassist shines through giving this a more meaty sound that some smooth jazz currently on the radio.  But this all-instrumental recording should definitely appeal to jazz lovers who remember when Miles Davis turned the world upside-down by combining jazz and rock elements.  Craig seems to be continuing that experimentation with rockin’ bass parts, some rock drumming, occasional pounding rhythmic keyboards and a little electric guitar mixed together with soprano saxophone solos on a few tunes, some flute and even a muted trumpet solo.  Although it is hard to tell on a finished CD, it seems the music definitely explores some improvisation in its creation.  I forgot to mention that several pieces feature an electric violin that appears to be an obvious tribute to classic-era Jean-Luc Ponty.  Recommended for fans of that old jazz-rock sound with a few newer and smoother influences blended in.