Mindi Abair – Stars

Mindi Abair – Stars / 2008 Peak / 11 Tracks / http://www.mindiabair.com / http://www.peakrecords.com /

This is Abair’s fourth full length album. Ey made eir big splash with 2003’s “It Just Happens That Way”, and is currently the host of “Chill”, which previously was hosted by Chris Botti. The smooth jazz of Abair first hits listeners during the disc’s inaugural track, “Smile”. This hopeful, happy song needs nothing in the way of actual vocals, as Abair’s sax work here provides individuals with a vocal-like track. When there are vocals here, they are used in a purely instrumental way. “Smile” is Abair’s first hit on “Stars”, and adds a much needed pop infusion to the jazz genre.

“On and On” is the second track on “Stars”, and it adds vocals, hoping to break big into the pop charts. What results with “On and On” is a track that links together the pop styles of the early nineties with a much more current, contemporaneous sound. The progression of the vocals during “On and On” reminds me of a Vitamin C; while there are hints of jazz present on this track, they are largely relegated to the periphery. “Out of the Blue” follows “On and On” and brings back Abair’s proficient sax playing in a major way. The shifting focus of “Stars” may cause some individuals to declare this album disjointed, but I personally feel as if, by continually changing things up, Abair is really able to come forth with an album that is stronger than if ey would just approach things from a similar view through all 11 tracks of “Stars”.

“F.L.A. Swing” is a more focused, intense type of track than the other songs that had previously confronted individuals. True to its name, there is a decidedly swing-ing sound present during the track, one that would put it perfectly in any early nineties R&B track as a sizzling background track. Like how “F.L.A. Swing” broke from previous trends and styles broached by Abair during “Stars”, the much slower “I Wonder” is similarly disc-changing due to its much more slow and nuanced approach. While it is not likely going to be a rotation hit, it provides Abair with yet another tool with which to use on later tracks. Individuals will simply not know where Abair is going with each subsequent track on “Stars”; this is a good thing, and increases the replay value of the album considerably. If you are a fan of pop or jazz music, “Stars” should be a future purchase.

Top Tracks: Mojo, Out Of The Blue

Rating: 7.2/10