Magic

by Jonathan WidranThe veteran instrumental/vocal foursome have come up with the kind of album that radio programmers can have a field day with. On the instrumental side, there's tons of grand variety--everything from a slamming retro soul meets hip hop explosion on "Space Dance" (which features a lighthearted Bill Sharpe piano melody amidst the futuristic shenanigans and crunchy George Anderson bass grooe) to the funky modern samba ("Nova Bossa," anyone?). Vocalist Jill Saward has a dreamy yet powerful voice reminiscent of Corrine Drewery (from Swing Out Sister), and she makes even the corniest cliche sound like a passionate power play on songs like "Magic." "Move a Little Closer" has her and two female backing vocalists soaring heartily over punchy retro-soul bass and drum grooves. The sweet little title "Sundown" belies that tune's innovative sonic progression in which Sharpe varies his synth tones from electric piano to spacey textures and hypnotic piano harmonies. Ironically, the least original piece here, a note for note cover of Boz Scagg's "Lowdown," allows Shakatak and guest saxist and flutist Dave Bishop to show some of their best teamwork. The verses and choruses switch off between Sharpe's electric piano and Bishop's flute riffs; Bishop's flute mimics the flute on the original, while the bridge of the song is all sax. Magic isn't the most original title, but it fits the ensemble vibe and varied energy of the disc perfectly.