Providing some of the best solos to found on a jazz album released this year, Russ Spiegel‘s Caribbean Blue is a must-hear multi-cultural musical experience. The unique artistic layers at play here make for a rewarding light jazz adventure. The album reminds me of the years (long ago) when I would put a Pat Metheny album onto the turntable in the music store I managed, and just count the minutes (not many) before the average rock ‘n’ roll loving customer headed for the counter to ask who was playing, There is a very inviting, free quality to Caribbean Blue that will please many.

The players: Russ Spiegel (guitar), Jim Gasior (piano), Lucas Apostoleris (drums), Brian Lynch (trumpet), Tim Armacost (tenor saxophone), Javier Nero (tromone), Hendrik Meurkens (harmonica), Ben Beal (vocals).