evolve
Artistry Music
Producer: Jackiem Joyner
Score: 9/10
The grooving saxophonist long known in the urban jazz realm as “Lil’ Man Soul” is growing up fast on his fourth solo album, which takes a progressive approach that transcends most of today’s typical genre radio fare. While Joyner’s melodic flow is always front and center, he brings the light funk to exotic classical/new age territory on “Europa,” adds a simmering rock edge to “Born To Fly” and takes a dramatic, synth heavy trip through space on “See Through Me.” If this is the way pop/urban instrumental music is evolving, we’re headed for some true adventure. – Jonathan Widran
