October 1999

Curtis McLaw/Chris Williams
Dancing Fantasy
Higher Octave Music

By Hilarie Grey

The keyboard duo of Curtis Mclaw and Chris Williams offers mood music aiming for the intrigues of Deep Forest and Enigma as Dancing Fantasy (Higher Octave Jazz HOJCD 47496; 58:34). Although the arrangements often drip with lush detail, songs like the slow-developing "Coming Up Roses," and hip-hop shuffle "Moments in Love" never quite achieve the meditative, sensual or haunted qualities which add intrigue to the works of the aforementioned groups, which so clearly inspired this duo. Dancing Fantasy comes close on a few tunes which are grounded by a central, warmer voice-light flute at the center of "The Power of Life" takes some of the polish off the tune's bright sheen, and saxophone forms a warm core amidst the industrial drag-rhythm of "Carpe Diem," providing interesting highlights and holding promise for future releases.