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Atlantic City saxophonist Howard Isaacson has just released his newest CD Blue Skies. The slick and smooth release further solidifies Howard’s place among the those making a name for themselves in smooth jazz.

Isaacson began his career in Philadelphia and like many or that area, migrated to Atlantic City for plentiful work in the Casino lounges and showrooms. Blue Skies features an impressive array of some of A.C’s finest along with Isaacson on saxophone and woodwinds. The list of personnel includes Frank Strauss on keyboards, Vince Colella, John Mulhern, Kit Worton, Phil Polsinelli and Alex Domshot on guitars, Andy Lalasis and Rich Kurtz on bass, Matt Curran on drums, Bob Ferguson on trumpet and bassist Bob Fowler programming and mixing. In addition to Isaacson’s better-known woodwind playing, he is credited with keyboards, drum programming, trumpet and trombone.

Right off the bat Kickin’ Back caught my attention with the opening guitar riff. My initial thought was, “Is that the best guitar sample in the world or just a great studio guitar sound?” As I should have guessed it was the sound of Vince Colella, longtime Atlantic City guitarist. Isaacson is featured on soprano saxophone here as well as additional woodwinds filling in the background.

Street Smart features Isaacson’s tenor on this smoothed-out hip-hop groove. The soprano and other saxophones add a nice touch to the background as well.

Special Delivery features multi-instrumentalist Isaacson on flute. He demonstrates here that he is a formidable flute player as well a saxophonist – something I know first hand from our work together in Atlantic City.

They’ve done it again. Longtime Atlantic City showroom musicians Ed Vezinho and Jim Ward have released their third and arguably best CD on Dreambox Media. Although I am happy to be among the “friends” who contributed to this project, I can honestly say this recording is among the best big band recordings I have heard in recent years. Syracuse natives and Atlantic City transplants Vezinho and Ward have been fueling this big band fire for 26 years now. Vezinho’s writing, arranging and lead alto skills reflect his vast experiences playing for virtually every big name in the business. Ward’s lead trumpet sizzles here as it has for many years playing lead for some of the best in the business.

For nearly 20 years, I have been pleased to be among many in the Atlantic City area who have played with this big band. Most often I would be called upon to play one of the tenor chairs and at least once on second alto next to Ed. This is brought up only to highlight the fact that I’ve had the pleasure of being on the bandstand with Ed, Jim and the boys on many occasion. The banter between the musicians can be seemingly harsh and cutting at times. The ribbing passed around by band members and their leaders is not for the faint of heart. All this said, they are a close net and close-minded group who know how to play in an ensemble – as well as “bust” on each other as an ensemble.

With Friends Like These is a fitting title for such a group. All kidding aside, the “friends” who lend their talents here drive this excellent big band to new heights.

The twelve tracks on this CD run the gamut from standards to show tunes and some clever originals from Ed Vezinho. My personal favorite on Friends Like These is Joy by J.S. Bach and “swingbanderized” by Vezinho’s clever arrangement. The score plays out with both a traditional as well as irreverent look at Bach’s famous work. Robert Rawlins and Clint Sharman offer wonderful solos on flute and trombone respectively. Joy is clever, well written and exceptionally well played by the ensemble.

Eric Daniel’s creative release Old Sax Nu Soul offers some fresh and funky tracks featuring this longtime saxman’s hypnotic saxophone sound. Daniel, who attended Berklee College of Music some 30 years ago, has performed with Natalie Cole, Paul Young, Randy Crawford and many others as well. Nowhere he now resides in Italy where he plays, performs and teaches saxophone and woodwinds.

Old Sax Nu Soul is Eric Daniel’s inaugural release, despite a long tenure in the music business. The cd contains 16 funky, yet minimal tracks that provide a bed for Eric Daniel and Friends to improvise. Eric plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophone as well as flute on this QuartoMiglio QualityMusic release.

Eric’s playing and sound are charming at times. The lack of complex form and structure leaves plenty of room for blowing, however it seems as though more melodic and harmonic components are conspicuously missing from the some tunes. That being said, when I first listened to Minimal (This is Eric) and read the liner notes I began to understand the music of Eric Daniel a little better. The titled explains his vibe succinctly and completely. Eric is a minimalist. His tunes lay down a groove where he is free to express himself. Minimal. Free. Eric. I get it.

The opening track Talkin About Midnight features Eric on a silky and smooth-sounding alto sax. Here, as throughout the cd, the tracks are built around a funky background, which lays the groundwork for his improvisational saxophone work. The tune lingers in a decidedly mellow state and ends with the reverberating “hello…”

The second track, I Wanna See You Dance starts off with Daniel on flute and Mike Applebaum on trumpet. The tremolo-rich bass sound gives it a unique flavor, although a bit unexpected. Vocalist Orlando Johnson takes the lead through most of this song with Eric Daniel filling the cracks with some gritty flute and Applebaum’s trumpet.

Central begins with another funky bass and drum groove as a bed for Daniel’s improvisations – this time on soprano sax. Maurizio Filardo shares some sparse guitar playing and Carlos Sarmiento some keyboard pads as Eric Daniel’s works his soprano into an avante-guardesque frenzy.

Da Loot is yet again a forum for Daniel’s soprano and tenor improvisations only briefly interrupted by a quote of the vocal melody. Dr Feel-x’s deep and sultry voice invokes shades of Isaac Hayes on The Ghetto. Eric Daniel stretches on alto this time.