SPYRO GYRA — Original Cinema (2002) SACD Hybrid | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A slightly sharper edge surfaces in Spyro Gyra's second effort for the Telarc-affiliated Heads Up label. While their performance still tilts more toward easy listening than searing fusion, there's a bit more punch than usual in the upbeat tracks. Frontman Jay Beckenstein cultivates a slightly grittier sound by concentrating largely on tenor sax, while a trio of guest percussionists adds dimension to the beat on several numbers, especially the festive "Cape Town Love." The tour de force performance is probably "Flashback," largely because Beckenstein goes it alone, blowing some eloquent, Wayne Shorter-style lines against his own more than serviceable pre-recorded piano accompaniment. The filmic theme, reflected in the titles of several tracks, is more affectation than substance; in truth, Original Cinema extends rather than detours from the path laid down for a quarter century by this smooth jazz juggernaut. Robert L. Doerschuk
Tracklist :
1.    Bump It Up 4:52
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
2.    Extrovertical 6:21
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
3.    Dream Sequence 5:01
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
4.    Party Of Seven 4:51
Written-By – Bette Sussman, Joel Rosenblatt
5.    Big Dance Number 3:27
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
6.    Close-Up 3:47
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
7.    Film Noir 6:12
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
8.    Cape Town Love 5:17
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
9.    Handheld 4:01
Written-By – Scott Ambush
10.    Funky Tina 5:17
Written-By – Julio Fernandez
11.    Getaway 4:11
Written-By – Jeremy Wall
12.    Calle Ocho 5:30
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
13.    Flashback 3:36
Written-By – Jay Beckenstein
Credits :
Bass – Scott Ambush
Drums – Joel Rosenblatt
Guitar – Julio Fernandez
Keyboards – Tom Schuman
Percussion – David Charles (tracks: 1, 11), Marc Quiñones (tracks: 10, 12), Mino Cinelu (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 8)
Saxophone – Jay Beckenstein
Steel Drums – Andy Narell (tracks: 4, 8)
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels (tracks: 3, 4, 8, 12)