Jeff Kashiwa – Peace of Mind
Jeff Kashiwa
Peace of Mind
(Native Language – 2004)
by Paula Edelstein
Jeff Kashiwa offers you some Peace of Mind on his third release for Native Language Music. Kashiwa plays alto, soprano and tenor saxes, either wrote or co-wrote eight of the nine songs and also produced and arranged several of them. The set opens with “Wait And See,” an upbeat, feel good piece with Kashiwa on tenor saxophone. The song memorably reflects the happy surprise that listeners can expect from this recording and is an appropriate opener. Kashiwa continues his storytelling with “Here And Now,” a song that definitely proves his musical growth as a leader since leaving his days as a sideman with The Rippingtons behind.
He switches to soprano saxophone on the sexy and languid “Ecstasy,” and it’s all about the peace and joy on “Peace of Mind.” Once again Jeff shows his versatility as a smooth jazz star and composer by providing decent sections for his band mates to show off their improvising skills. The bonus track, “My Lovin,” (Never Gonna Get It) which made En Vogue famous back in the day, is revisited here as a blowing vehicle for The Sax Pack: Jeff Kashiwa on alto sax, Steve Cole on tenor sax, and Kim Waters on soprano sax! They are jamming as each player takes a solo, asking and answering, calling and responding and then playing in tandem.
The sexy, ultra-smooth saxophonist/composer/arranger who has an international following that rivals many of today’s top pop & rock stars, plays nine great songs with the help of such smooth jazz colleagues as Jeff Lorber, Russ Freeman, Chuck Loeb, Brian Bromberg, Dan Siegel, Lenny Castro, Kim Waters and James Lloyd of Pieces of A Dream! This set rocks.
