David Sanborn: Here & Gone

Say the name Dave Sanborn, and the late baby boomer listener will immediately identify him with the wailing R&B alto saxophone that closed every Saturday Night Live episode in the late '70s. His slightly off-center embouchure and distinctive alto sound has made him a sought after soloist for his entire career.

On Here & Gone, Sanborn is grounded by the rhythm section of bassist Christian McBride, drummer Steve Gadd, and guitarist Russell Malone with keyboard support from Gil Goldstein and Ricky Peterson—not too shabby at all. Add a horn section that includes Lou Marini, Lew Soloff, and Howard Johnson and decent performances can only be expected and that is what is delivered.

Disk highlights include retro-spars with trumpeter Wallace Roney on "St. Louis Blues" and trumpeter Lew Soloff on "Basin Street Blues." After that swing through Satch-land, Sanborn tips his hat to Ray Charles, goining forces with two of today's finest guitar players; slide guitar ace Derek Trucks for a Southern tasty "Brother Ray," and Eric Clapton for "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town." Both guitarists ply their distinctive wares abundantly. Trucks extends the language of the late Duane Allman, while Clapton plays tastefully understated, allowing his unique blues singing to do the talking.

For the leader's part, Sanborn is in fine R&B wailing form, acknowledging his debt to the other focus of this record, Hank Crawford. Sanborn's voice instantly recognizable. He is appropriately emotive on Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and it is in this company that David Sanborn should be heard.