Album Notes

Another great Texas jazz player is Warren Sneed, a Kirk Whalum-endorsed saxophone specialist whose recent CD Brothers features a variety of great Texas-based musicians, such as John Adams on bass, Dennis Dotson on trumpet, and Steve Allison on drums.

The Texas theme is carried even into the CD title, which is dedicated to the memory of two Texas musicians who passed away too young, pianist Dave Catney and guitarist Tim Harris, both of whom Sneed shared the stage with.

Perhaps the only outsider is Yellowjackets' star Jimmy Haslip, who plays bass on five tunes.

Brothers is full of radio-worthy songs that could fit into the smooth jazz radio format, although thankfully Sneed doesn't seek to tailor his CD to that genre.

Sneed has obviously invested a great deal of his soul in this music, and the result can bring one to tears, such as on the heartfelt ballads "Only Love" and "After the Rain." Half of the songs are either written or co-written by Sneed, while others were penned by participating musicians.

"Take a Bow" is a Babyface/Madonna song that is masterfully interpreted.

"Brothers" is a 6/8 jazz tune that features the excellent combination of Dennis Dotson and Sneed, who sound almost as one at times.

Several other songs make good use of the fretless bass prowess of Jimmy Haslip, whose playing exhibits the subtlety and control of a true innovator and veteran.

"Bubba Dubois" features him gettin' funky, spicing it up with harmonics, getting a nice bubbly Gary Willis type of sound.

He also makes the ballads really work with his great tone and feeling. - (Blaine Fallis, about.com)