Jazztronik - Inner Flight (2001)

INNER FLIGHT features some electronic jazziness from one of Japan's finest: Jazztronik. "Dizzin'" is a fine introduction to what to expect: jazzy melodies, mid-tempo rhythms, good vibes all over. The vocal tracks seem slightly weaker than the instrumentals, however; the diva stylistics on "Feel the Air" don't do much for me, though they work fine on "Now or Never." "Zoology" and "For a Long Time After," with its contrapuntal melody, are much better examples of how fine his work can be. "Siesta" isn't as restful as you'd think, with its Latin drumming and horn line, but "Inner Flight" really gets things moving with a solid kick drum and an overlay of horns. "Spur" takes us into a lounge-land, while "Turn the Key in the Lock" is a deep and dark house track. "From the Picture" closes out the album with style and grace. Jazztronik ably lives up to his name.