Album Review: Songs in the Key of Wonder from James Austin, Jr.
Album Review: Songs in the Key of Wonder from James Austin, Jr. Label: JCA Records Website: www.jamesaustinjr.com Embarking on the journey to rework Steve Wonder's catalog of pop songs, pianist James Austin, Jr. interprets the tunes as pure instrumentals, drawing out influences of big band, Latin swing, classical music, and smooth jazz. His CD Songs in the Key of Wonder reverberates a nightingale-imbued iridescence as his keys inscribe a lyrical versing throughout the tracks. The percussive beats lining "Another Star" exude a Latin shimmer as Austin's keys swirl around them with infectious exuberance. Austin's interpretation is steep in Latin swing with horns that blaze smooth jazz shades reminiscent of soothing nocturnes. The sensuous swivels of the horns strewn along "You've Got It Bad Girl" recede to give the piano solo the forefront as Austin's keys punctuate the track with beaming ripples. The romantic mood fam...