Fattburger: Sizzlin’

There’s something for practically every taste on Fattburger’s Sizzlin’ (Shanachie). The San Diego-based contemporary jazz band-which takes its name from a hamburger restaurant chain and often uses food references in its album and song titles-has created a collection of easy-to-like smooth-jazz tunes. The title track has a lively swing, while a pair of ballads-the lighthearted “Irene” and the subtly Latin-inflected “New World Order”-feature breezy guitar work from Evan Marks. Elsewhere, Hollis Gentry III’s soprano saxophone waxes lyrical on the smooth ballad “Blue Ridge Sunset,” and Gentry’s sax soars above a funky bass groove and layers of percussion on “You’re Finally Here.” While most of the songs would fit in well on smooth-jazz radio, there are a couple that deviate a bit from that easy-listening sound, notably “Bleu Cheese,” wherein smooth soprano sax meets edgy rock guitar, and “Mr. C,” a soul-jazz romp spiced by Rob Whitlock’s rollicking organ work.

Originally Published September 1, 2003