Marc Antoine - Classical Soul (1994)

Despite its preponderance of drum programming, Marc Antoine's sparkling debut, Classical Soul, has a consistent loose-feeling, free-for-all jam session quality that every smooth jazz artist should strive for. A touring guitarist with the Solsonics and Basia, Antoine brings a combined sensibility of modern and traditional R&B, jazz, and even blues to a tasty mix surrounding a sharp, crisp, and to-the-point acoustic flair. The tastiest aspect here is the mix of this unplugged comfort with a worldly backbeat. Over generally bouncy electric soundscapes, Antoine weaves a seductive spell that is part accessible melodicism, part escape and challenge. And along the way is the disc's most remarkable achievement, the flamenco-edged "Universal Language," on which Antoine doubles as keyboardist with the piccolo bass sass of Armand Sabal-Lecco. A few overemphasized vocal effects could be trimmed without pain, however. And while the guest list isn't quite as glamorous as those often assembled for a Doc Powell session, Antoine gets stellar support from the capable likes of Jimmy Haslip, Lenny Castro, Steve Reid, and -- adding magic both dark and wistful -- Sam Riney on flute and sax.