Boz Scaggs's first recorded effort of the new millennium finds the velvet-toned Texan employing a big-tent stylistic philosophy, dabbling with a rich mix of R&B, jazz, rock and hip-hop. Aided by a core support staff featuring long-time friends Danny Kortchmar and David Paich, Scaggs wastes no time applying his dulcet tones to smoky ballads like the slow jam "Desire" and the simmering "Thanks To You" (featuring restrained accompaniment by trumpeter Roy Hargrove). With its slowed-down drum loop and fat-sounding guitar-picking by Scaggs, "I Just Go" finds the San Francisco native applying a modern touch to his trademark sound.
Boz fans the flames slightly with the mid-tempo shuffle "Call That Love," delivers "Call That Love" with Latin pop flair, and flows over the chugging electro-funk of "Get On The Natch." But longtime fans will be relieved to know that blue-eyed soul remains a favorite on this rich musical menu. Among the head chef's tastiest dishes are the dreamy "Sarah," with its slow-burn vibe, and the equally laid-back "Miss Riddle" featuring Hargrove injecting plenty of Miles-like flourishes. Yet another triumph for a wily music vet.
