Eric Darius - Just Getting Started (2006)

Saxophonist Eric Darius offers listeners 11 memorable performances on Just Getting Started. The CD, which is his second major-label release in as many years, tops Night on the Time in production values, guest star performances, and sheer compositional might because of his collaborations with Brian Culbertson, Darren Rahn, Paul Brown, his hit-making labelmate Euge Groove, and the Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Jeff Lorber on several songs. Together their jam session sound and musicality provide fresh funk, breezy vibes, and wicked chops. "Steppin' Up" jump-starts the CD with a highly personal mixture of sax lines that are superbly complemented by the rhythmic phrasings of the instruments. He continues with "Lover's Paradise," on which Darius builds his creativity and beautifully evokes a time, mood, and place. His sound intersects with the superb sonics of his collaborators to bring on shimmering contemporary grooves that are undoubtedly the characteristics of his renewed sound. Part funk, part smooth jazz, this set is balanced just right. It aptly showcases Eric Darius on a series of compositions that are rich in their references and which take on a deeper meaning with every listen.