Pamela Williams - The Perfect Love (2003)

2003 was a great year for female sax players, with Candy Dulfer returning after a four-year hiatus, Mindi Abair revitalizing smooth jazz with It Just Happens That Way, and The Perfect Love, a sensual funk label debut by one of the more underrated performers on the smooth groove scene, Pamela Williams. Shanachie Entertainment is known for its picture-perfect radio hits, and Williams kindly obliges her label with some instantly kick-back and likeable tracks right off the bat. Yet as nice, catchy, and easy grooving as "After Glow" and "Just As We Are" are, there's a sense that Williams is holding back just a bit. Ditto the kindly, sweet-talking "Unconditional," which is one of three songs written by labelmate saxman Kim Waters and very much in tune with his sweet, smoky style. Williams eventually lets loose, however, and the heavier grooves of "Got Me Wrapped Around Your Finger" stimulate some more aggressive playing, backed by some snazzy horns and a dreamy retro vibe. Even more fun but probably too intense for radio is her slamming, slightly bluesy crunch-funk take on Prince's "Sexy M.F." Waters gives her a quick-rolling challenge on the closer, "Whipped," which she more than accepts with constantly powerful bursts of energy. The label also cleverly pairs her with another label great, keyboardist Kevin Toney, whose optimistic keys play off Williams' cool perfectly. Overall, it's a perfectly balanced disc, but listeners who are seduced by the cool might find a more perfect love by the fire. ~ Jonathan Widran