Pieces of a Dream, around for 25 years now, has changed with the times, as it must, and the band brings fresh and contemporary talent to its latest with guitarist Ronny Jordan, vocalist Maysa Leak and saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kenny Blake. Acquainted With the Night signals a new beginning for the veteran group, which is now signed to Heads Up, whose founder, Dave Love, leaves his mark as executive producer.
As you would expect from a band that’s been around this long, the music is contemporary while still managing to evoke memories of the ’70s and ’80s, largely through the composing skills and piano of leader James Lloyd. Those nods to the past are updated through Diana Ross’ “Upside Down” (with vocals by Maysa) and “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)” It’s smooth jazz, but on the funky side, a little harder than you might expect from Pieces of a Dream. After 25 years, they’ve entered the 21st century and are as fresh and sassy as any smooth-jazz band out there.
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