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PERFECT FUSION

bispro | France | 12/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"More than ten years after its release (can it be that old already?!), this albums still sounds to me like the perfect crossover between jazz, pop,soul and funk. I do not know of a single friend who didn't rave about that record after they heard it! It contains enough showstoppers to make you play it over and over again. I know it was in my player every single day for at least three months after its release, and I still listen to it with great enjoyment today."X-Factor", which displays the incredible talents of Philippe Saisse and Marcus Miller, is one of the best funky tracks I've ever heard, while "Love Saw It" is the other masterpiece of the album, a gorgeous, poignant ballad in which Kirk's tenor and Gerald Albright's alto engage in soulful conversation. Though I never was much into Albright's playing, this track brought tears to my eyes on first listening, and still moves me tremendously. "Over The Rainbow" is plain and simple, just sax and piano, but shines as one of the best covers of that tune ever, as far as I'm concerned. Kirk's and guest vocalist Brenda Russell's cover of Sting's "Fragile" is a must, even better in many respects than the original version, certainly better than any previous or later cover, and that says something, doesn't it? "Love is a Losing Game", a beautiful sad ballad by guest vocalist Jevetta Steele (of Bagdad Cafe fame) is another highlight of this highly enjoyable record.Though 'Caché' may not be the best jazz record nor the best funky album around, it is certainly one of the best ever examples of a musical fusion that can satisfy a wide scope of listeners, and this latter aspect is far from being a weakness ; in fact, I believe touching a maximum of people through one's art should be any artist's foremost goal... Well, Kirk, you did succeed at that with this here record, big time !"

I saw it!

john | texas | 06/26/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"someone please say su'm bout 'love saw it'! any saxophonist would agree this is probably the best duet between an alto and tenor they have ever heard. (maybe the only). gerald albright is on alto, and he was with the byron allen show band, back in the 80's. if you enjoy traditional jazz, you might like gerald's cd, 'giving myself to you'. for jamming purposes, i recommend kirk's 'for you' album. for rhythm, 'the promise' cd shakes it up. i don't like gospel stuff, so i didn't like 'in this life' (totally different style than the others). still, i put on this cd at times just to hear 'love saw it'. why? because the two saxophonists compete and cooperate at improvisation toward the climax. if ever brass were in danger of catching on fire, these two geniuses come close. shhhhhh... look furtively both ways... they actually think before they play something, and don't copy other musicians' ideas! novel."