Moab (1993) by Lex de Azevedo

My first active listening experience in jazz fusion, this was a favorite album before I even knew what an album was. I made copies of that cassette and wore them all out!

Lex de Azevedo might not be a household name for many people, but from his lush orchestral hymn arrangements, to his film scores, to the musical "Saturday's Warrior," his music has always been a part of my family's life.

Why I love this album

• It is inspired by one of my favorite outdoor regions in the world - the primitive red-rock wonderlands of the Colorado Plateau in the Four Corners Region of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.

• It is funky and fun!

• As a pianist, I love to hear other pianists getting their groove on

• Variety! From bluesy to new-age-y, to light jazz to Latin. It may be Jazz fusion, but it is also Southwest Fusion, New Age Fusion, and probably some other stuff too...

• A great ensemble of talented musicians, including Marc Russo (of the jazz fusion group The Yellowjackets) on sax, and Michael Dowdle on guitar, as well as a full orchestra on two of the tracks

Album Highlights (links in song titles)

• A Simple Song: After you survive the heavy, bluesy, driving opening track, this much lighter piece is so refreshing yet energizing. With some tasteful synth layered in the acoustic piano, as well as some delicate guitar licks from Michael Dowdle, this always makes me feel like I am flying and gliding through the clouds. Sublime dialogue of piano and guitar solos in the final third of the song.

• San Juan: a Latin-flavored jazz number, its rollicking vibe of unrest, with funky bass and staccato trumpet, made me take quite a while (decades, really) to warm up to it. But that serves to make the melodic guitar/piano solo sections more satisfying. Even now, I'm not sure whether I want to sit and listen, or run away....

• Slickrock: Much more a childhood favorite than the former piece, this piano-driven piece feels like a well-worn running path. Soaring electric guitar solos (you are my hero, Michael Dowdle!) intersperse between the flute-chiff synth runs (reminiscent of Toto's famous "Africa") and dramatic orchestral crescendos. You get a deep breath to look at the wide blue sky, and then off we go again!

• Bittersweet: As the name implies, this takes a melancholy turn, and I love it. A lean and mellow cool-down. ,Without being draggy it gives a chance to reflect on your life, the good and the sad.

• Night of the Iguana: This is a groovy jazz piece that is great for driving down the road into the sunset. The warm soprano sax soars into the darkness, then returns again and again. Michael Dowdle gives a shredding guitar outro that makes you wonder what really is coming over the morning horizon.....