Ken Navarro - Love Coloured Soul (2004)

LOVE COLOURED SOUL contains no compromises...no filler...it's quality we've come to expect from Ken Navarro's guitar-work and production standards, but now even more evolved and nuanced. He's been a part of this music genre since before it was even called Smooth Jazz, and if anyone knows how to hit the mark in this format, it's Ken Navarro. The music on LOVE COLOURED SOUL is consistently solid from the first note to the last of eight compelling originals and two well-chosen and beautifully crafted covers (Laura Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic" and John Klemmer's lovely "Glass Dolphins"). Of the originals, "You Are Everything" has that Smooth Jazz hit sound to it, with Ken's signature guitar sound starring in a beautifully produced setting. Ditto for "You Did It Again" (with the addition of Rob Holmes' tasty soprano sax work) and the compellingly rhythmic "Breathe." If you're already a Ken Navarro fan, as I am, and own some, if not all, of Ken's other 15 albums...his one is a no-brainer. If you have yet to own a Ken Navarro album, then you need to start someplace. LOVE COLOURED SOUL is unquestionably that place! ~ Scott O'Brien