by William Ruhlmann
Following two albums with a reconstituted L.A. Express, Bluestreak and Smokin' Section, Tom Scott returns to solo frontman duties on his Higher Octave Jazz debut, New Found Freedom, but he does so with a large number of guests. Those guests help broaden the styles of music available on the release, although Scott's own saxophone work remains a touchstone and everything on the disc will be easily programmable on smooth jazz radio. Indeed, the variety gives programmers many choices. Craig Chaquico, a fellow veteran of the 1970s rock scene and now a labelmate, joins Scott with some characteristic acoustic guitar work on the becalmed opener, &Feelin' It,& after which adult contemporary singer Ann Nesby croons &You Are My Everything& while Billy Preston joins in on organ. Scott's taste for R&B and funk is on display on &(Don't You Wanna) Jam,& which gives way to the more reflective &Can You Stand the Rain,& spotlighting George Duke on acoustic piano. Another soulful number is an interpretation of Simply Red's &Holding Back the Years,& and Daniel Rodriguez, the singing New York police officer who gained fame after September 11 (and whose debut album Scott produced) comes on for a thoughtful version of &Everything Must Change.& This is a well-assembled collection of smooth jazz that will please fans of the genre and of Scott.