Search - Bobby Lyle :: Hands on

Too much of the same

A. Valkin | South Africa | 05/17/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Lyle plays smooth jazz with a strong R&B flavour on this CD.



I bought this album after previewing it on Amazon and was slightly dissapointed. While Lyle has that brilliant technique one hears with the best pianists in smooth jazz, he plays the same licks and textures on too many numbers. By the fifth track, I get tired of hearing the same double-octave schtick.



Throughout the CD Lyle promises good things to come, but they don't quite materialise. Things do get interesting on songs like Minute by Minute, where the piano opens with a subtle gospel intro which really shows him to be the good player he is. But overall the melodies and sounds are too stock and unoriginal and perhaps that is the reason why I want to skip some of the tracks.



This is always a problem with smooth jazz - the composer can easily degenerate into elevator music if he remains shallow, and never leaves tried and tested ground. This happens less with groups such as Fourplay, where the arrangements are more vibrant and interesting.



Still, the songs on Hands On have some interest and I like his friendly approach to entertaining."

A contemporary celebration of love, life and rhythm.

jazzmusikeditor | U.K. | 11/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Throughout his three decade career, pianist/keyboardist Bobby Lyle has developed an international reputation not only for his dazzling piano technique, but also for his versatility and ability to constantly reinvent himself, both as a leader, sideman and even as music director for superstars Al Jarreau and Anita Baker.

With "Hands On", Lyle adds another significant title to his already impressive discography.

"A contemporary celebration of love, life and rhythm" is how Bobby Lyle describes his Heads Up debut. "Within the twelve songs there are expressions of all of those things. I wanted the overall tone of the record to be funky and upbeat, but with romantic interludes".

"Hands On" - Lyle's 15 th album overall - is a unique blend of contemporary jazz classics and acoustic piano compositions that crosses the boundaries between straight-ahead and contemporary jazz. A brilliant showcase for this gifted songwriter/producer/arranger's unique talents, Hands On features an array of timeless tracks containing an entire world of emotion.

Lyle kicks off with "Passion Drive", one of nine original tracks to spotlight his amazing ability to combine acoustic piano sophistication with addictive beats. The thick and insistent groove on the title track draws from both modern and old-school music. Indeed, Lyle's R&B background is apparent on such tasty cuts as the Maurice White/Al McKay classic "Best of My Love" and Michael McDonald's "Minute By Minute". For longtime Lyle fans, tracks like the bright and bouncy "Fancy Pants", the quietly elegant jazz standard "Poinciana" and the graceful "Spirit" perfectly summarize the multi-faceted keyboardist's range and influences.

In addition to Lyle, "Hands On" features special guest Peabo Bryson, who co-wrote and sings on the track, "Lost In Our Love". "Peabo and I are good friends", says Lyle. "I've always admired his work and he's a first class crooner. He's so professional and easy to work with. He always delivers".

Rounding out the project are guitarists Todd Parsnow, John Calderon and Brennen Nase, bassists Martin Walters, Larry Kimpel, Keith Vivens and John Adams, saxophonists Wayne DeLano, Dave Caseras and Joe Vincelli, trumpeter Larry Spencer, trombonist Keith Adkins, drummer Keith Banks, percussionist Jorge Ginorio, and backing vocalists Dailyn Valdez, Melanie Covington and Derrick McCampbell.

"