Gerald Veasley: Love Letters

A mixture of smooth and hip hop issued under the name of jazz, Gerald Veasley's album for the Heads Up label is a combination of pablum and sedative. If your lucky, it will put you to sleep before it drives you crazy with boredom, because each track is virtually indistinguishable from every other track. No dynamics here and each tune is performed in that seamless, stream of consciousness manner that seems to characterize this musical style. In sum, it doesn't swing. Veasley has gathered saxmen Eric Marienthal and Grover Washington, wearing his smooth jazz hat, to contribute to the proceedings. They really don't add much of anything to the album. In fact, one can barely pick them out of the melange of electronic instrumentation. Even though there are different performers on virtually every track except for Veasley, they sound interchangeable. As expected, there's much electronic gimmickry with Veasley's six string electric bass, keyboards, drum programming, etc. By the way, the last tune "Wish You Were Here" is not Harold Rome's tune made popular by Eddie Fisher. The one on this play list is by Veasley.

One can't argue that this isn't pretty music and will appeal to those who like this nondescript musical foray. But for those who like some rhythmic variety and intelligence along with beauty, forget it.

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