Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Working in the jazz genre is more often than not a labor of love. There is a joke about how many jazz musicians it takes to change a light bulb, the answer being three hundred: one to change the bulb and two hundred ninety-nine to explain how they would have done it better. Yet there are few things that match the thrill of walking into a club and hearing a bunch of players meshing perfectly, in the pocket, getting it right without getting too far out.

So we come to Paint a Picture, Tell a Story by guitarist Greg Chako, with bassist Christy Smith, drummer Mark De Rose, and saxist Greg Lyons. Paint a Picture, Tell a Story walks that fine line where the borders of improvisation and accessibility overlap, making this one of those rare discs that the jazz aficionado and the casual listener can both listen to and appreciate. Made up primarily of Chako’s compositions, Paint a Picture, Tell a Story consists of ten intricate tracks which are always considerate of the listener, from the opening Cycles, an intricate guitar piece beautifully augmented by additional solos by guest musicians Don Byron (clarinet) and Delfeayo Marsalis (trombone) to the closing, respectful jam on the classic People Will Say We’re In Love. The tone of the disc overall is quiet, though very energetic, even approaching frenetic at times. Chako, however, maintains that perfect balance that results in moderated improvisation; nothing every becomes discordant or unlistenable, and while Paint a Picture, Tell a Story doesn’t enter any new territory, it explores nicely the ones it visits.

Paint a Picture, Tell a Story is the perfect disc for someone who wishes to jump into improvisational jazz and to actually enjoy it while studying it. Chako’s track-by-track liner notes are simply fabulous for that purpose, a considerate touch with a disc that is always considerate of the listener. Recommended.