Phillip Martin: Fourpoint O

Phillip Martin is a promising new artist on the smooth-jazz scene. The young saxophonist possesses an R&B-inflected sound, and his album FourPoint 0 (Carzino) is filled with tunes that would fit well on smooth-jazz radio. “Look to the Sky” is sweetly lyrical, while “Dirty Funk” is a soul-jazz romp and “Prelude/What a Day” is a haunting ballad that opens with an orchestral flourish. Martin also sets his sax over a variety of electronic rhythms: “Rapture” combines melodic sax and a rapid-fire electronica beat, while “Good Day at Work” lopes along, driven by an electronic groove. But the saxophonist missteps on “No Letting Go,” however, his smoky performance marred by a distracting, overly repetitive beat.

Martin is a man of many talents-according to his bio, he’s been accepted to dental school-and he certainly knows how to create an engaging album. He has not yet developed a distinctive sax voice that will enable him to stand out in the crowded field of smooth-jazz saxophonists, but he’s on his way.

Originally Published December 1, 2004