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Ken Navarro: Smooth Sensation

By Dave Hughes
July 1, 1998
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Guitarist Ken Navarro's latest CD, Smooth Sensation , is aptly titled; it's silky-smooth, breezy, and relaxing music with just enough heartfelt feeling and energy to keep it interesting. Navarro's musical style, as well as his crystal-clear tone quality, are similar to that of Earl Klugh. He specializes in likable melodies and sonic textures, and manages to stay creative and not clone-ish. His playing, and that of his band, is spirited and tasteful yet stays within the comfortable boundaries of contemporary jazz – there's no envelope-pushing here.

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal, seemingly omnipresent these days, adds sure-footed blowing to the proceedings. Navarro's regular band of Jay Rowe on keyboards (who also has a decent CD out called Jay Walking ), Gary Grainger on electric bass, and Greg Grainger on drums round out the ensemble.

Personnel

Ken Navarro

guitar

Album information

Title: Smooth Sensation | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Positive Music

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