Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Melvin Smith plays the Soprano and Tenor sax...really well. His debut album, Portrait, is jazzy but also a combination of blues, funk, gospel and even Latin. This is an album of standards but not necessarily the kind you'd think. Based on what I read in the C.D. jacket, Smith is a very religious man. Honestly, when I read the religious sounding track names, particularly Lord I Lift Your Name on High, Go Down Moses, and God Bless the Child I was a bit thrown off. I wasn't sure how he was going to swing it. However, I enjoyed hearing familiar songs all jazzed up...especially because they were done so well.

Melvin Smith was born in Florida and now lives in Boston. He started playing the sax in his early teens and later studied at Berklee College of Music. In Boston he studied under several talented musicians and he definitely has some chops now. The album, a wonderful mix of so many genres, was mostly arranged by Smith.

Portrait starts out with a joyful, standard jazz version of Lord I Lift Your Name on High. I'm sure there are many arrangements of this song out there but compared to the way I learned it Smith kicked it up a notch and made it a more upbeat song. This interpretation shows a jubilant expression of his love for God. But, from this first song I was a bit worried that the whole album might be good but a little hokey. On the contrary, the next song switches modes into a more bluesy feel and the songs that follow continue to show Smith's talent for understanding and blending many different influences as a great jazz musician should.

One highlight on this album for me was Trylenera (Part 1 and 2), Smith's own song which has two parts (spread out on the album) and expresses how you've got to learn from making mistakes. This song has a real build and seems to follow a story. The hook is catchy and Smith plays exceptionally well in these two songs. I also really enjoyed God Bless the Child, Smith's version of Billy Holiday's arrangement. This song really shows Smith's ability to emote with his saxophone. It's a beautiful piece with a cozy feeling.

I will definitely be listening to this album a lot now that I've been introduced to it. Melvin Smith plays with passion and joy. This album is delightful and I hope to see more soon.