Peter White: Confidential

Smooth jazz guitar icon Peter White, whose pretty acoustic picking has defined the genre for more than a decade, offers eleven sometimes intimate, sometimes jubilant, always engaging slices of his heart on Confidential. You’d expect nothing less from a man who inspires a devout fan club and is eagerly welcomed onto stage and into studios by fellow musicians. Settling in with a new Peter White disc is like inviting Mr. Rogers and his Grandpa sweater and soft slippers into your living room.

Super producer Paul Brown co-wrote or produced five songs on the recording, including the first single, the jaunty “Talkin’ Bout Love”; “Coast Road Drive,” a classic feel-good White song with a thumping bass; “She’s in Love,” a vocal track written by Brenda Russell here featuring ‘80s star Christopher Cross; “Lost Without Your Love,” a ballad with David Sparkman providing a soulful vocal refrain; and “Stormfront,” a grooving cut with a tasty shuffle beat and Chris Botti’s trumpet. Brown also plays electric guitar on several cuts.

In addition to Botti and Brown, other guests include Brian Culbertson, Mindi Abair, Steve Ferrone, Rex Rideout, Michael Paulo and a great percussion team. Culbertson provides some needed and jazzy piano interludes, especially on the title track, which he produced, while Abair adds sax to “Are You Mine,” a top-down driving song propelled by strings. Guests add flavor, but White of course is the brightest star here, even bringing out his accordion for “Swept Away,” which evokes images of Italy, flamenco players and flamenco dancers. “How Does It Feel” is the most unique song on the disc due to White’s playing the killer hook over a rich percussive beat. Matthew Hager, who produced the song, plays what the liner notes call “weird guitar,” keeping time with White’s acoustic. It’s a great touch.

“Confidential” to smooth jazz fans: You'll dig this.