Mark Elf: Over the Airwaves (1999)

Matt Robinson

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Published: January 20, 2003

On this "guitar effort," jazz strummer Mark Elf picks and frets his way to a nearly unbreakable dozen of standards and original tributes. Tipping his trademark cap to the men and stations which make jazz radio and great, Elf also honors the songwriters who have given it musical sustenance as well. "On at KLON" is as bright and paced as a typical day in LA. "The Cookie Maker" cuts around on a tasty musical sugar high, occasionally becoming almost too crisp to savor. Taking a tip from Johnny Hartman, Elf takes a not too opulent dip into Strayhorn’s "Lush Life" which explores abundance in a provocatively subtle way. Elf’s "Mr. Suave" is (thanks especially to Ralph Peterson’s smooth bass lines and Jay Leonhart’s crashy traps) and his solo rendition of Rodgers and Hart’s "Blue Moon" snaps from bass to rhythm to lead and back in a style that in lesser hands might be considered luna-cy. The last song may be a misty "Stormy Weather," but the album is much more pleasant.

Track Listing: 1. On at KLON 2. TGEG Blues 3. Cookie Maker 4. Erv's Curve 5. Lush Life 6. Love for Sale 7. Blue Moon 8. In Three for Bob P. 9. Mr. Suave 10. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 11. By Myself 12. Stormy Weather

Record Label: Jen Bay Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream