In a world that likes to compartmentalize and label, singer/songwriter Daniel Jacobs poses a problem. To some, Jacobs may sound like a jazzy folk stylist. To others, he may seem like a folksy jazz player. The musician knows he confounds the labelers out there, and relayed a story about sending his promo kit to Festival Productions, a company that stages many music events around the world, including the legendary jazz and folk festivals held annually in Newport, R.I. ``The people who work with the jazz musicians said, `Give this to the folk person.' The folk person said, `Why are you giving me a jazz record?' '' Jacobs recalled. On his new compact disc, ``Our World Now,'' Jacobs didn't make any concessions to those demanding that music fit neatly into prescribed categories. Even though the disc is a pure solo outing consisting of just voice and guitar, ``Our World Now'' is brimming with ideas from a variety of musical sources. ``I've always wanted to create art that was original but informed,'' he said. ``The first five years that I wrote music, I didn't study music. Then I studied jazz guitar, then classical theory, then classical guitar. I don't want to play those styles of music. I want to take those ideas and let them run through me.'' The 38-year-old Jacobs furthered his musical education by studying his craft in Brazil, Bali and India as well as in New York City. Now based in Weston, Jacobs is well-traveled around the country and played more than 150 gigs last year. Jacobs will celebrate the release of ``Our World Now'' with a show Saturday at Nancy Chang restaurant, 372 Chandler St., Worcester. While Nancy Chang's is not normally the site of a CD launch, the restaurant's manager, Gabe Sandoli, is a fan of Jacob's music and put together an event for the artist in Worcester. The ``Our World Now'' release party at Nancy Chang's will begin with a reception for the artist running from 9 to 9:30 p.m. The concert will follow and include performances from a few guest musicians as well as two sets from Jacobs. Reservations for the show can be made by calling (508) 752-8899. Those who can't make it to the show can find Jacobs' music online at cdbaby.com. ``Our World Now'' comes after a couple of CDs that Jacobs made with bands backing him. But playing solo is more in line with what he typically does, both at home practicing and out on the road. The solo route serves Jacobs just fine. His fiery guitar playing provides ample accompaniment to his richly layered lyrics (two instrumentals on the CD also let the eloquence of his playing shine in its own regard). Jacob's songs are, by and large, hopeful slices of optimism. His poetic writing style is full of vivid imagery, particularly on the global bent of the CD's title track, a song that celebrates a new generation of leadership coming up in the world. ``I put my songs together in a way that allows you to stay in a certain space and relax a bit,'' he said. Jacobs worked up a variety of moods for his new CD. He has the chipper ``Friend for Life,'' the dour ``Ballad of a Broken Family''' and the wistful ``I'm Nobody,'' which is a concert recording of an improvisation built around an Emily Dickinson poem. Jacobs comes across as a musician who likes to play with many different ideas and not be beholden to any one set of rules. While that could be a recipe for an unfocused project, Jacobs makes the approach work. ``I think people are open to new ideas and new music,'' he said. ``I like to have things they can grab onto.''

"Our World Now" is a triumph. Jacobs' commitment is clear as crystal. Our World Now is a remarkable testament, an honest and enticing vision of how close we are to acknowledging the irresistible power of our fragility. Daniel plays like an angel, and the CD is beautifully produced. - Terence Hegarty (singer/songwriter)