Fuzzy Logic

1	Snap! 4:27
2	Fuzzy Logic 5:09
3	Someday Soon 4:58
4	Then the Morning Comes 3:37
5	Reflections 4:06
6	Coming Up for Air 4:58
7	You Read My Mind 4:54
8	War of the S.U.V.'s 4:46
9	Tango in Barbados 4:15
10	One Dream at a Time (June's Song) 2:51

Barnes & Noble

"My stuff is a combination of funk and melody," pianist-composer David Benoit told Keyboard magazine not long ago. "It's the combination of the two that seems to work." One would think so; the piano veteran's is a perennial chart-scaler, whose latest, the upbeat, driving Fuzzy Logic, is his 22nd recording as a leader in 24 years. A formidable technician with a powerful touch, Benoit is comfortable with navigating gnarly time signatures and complex harmonies, but he never allows his chops to interfere with the imperative of tapping the toes and singing the song. Want to rock? Try the reggae-calypso hybrid "Tango in Barbados," the soulful Les McCann-styled "Coming Up for Air," or the hip-hop meets Joe Sample meets Africa sound of "Then the Morning Comes." On the latter, Benoit deploys his trusty Hammond B-3 organ in dialogue with the piano, a device he uses on the hyper-funky "War of the SUV's" and frames with Tower of Power horn section lines on the title track. On the gentler side, see "Reflections" and "One Dream at a Time," which are subtle, delicate, memorable songs for piano with woodwinds and french horn. Like comfort food, it all feels good. Ted Panken

All Music Guide

Pianist David Benoit once again delivers a consummate jazz-pop release produced by trumpeter Rick Braun. Braun, who played on Benoit's 1999 Professional Dreamer, does a nice job of updating the piano man's trademark keyboard sound by addressing hip-hop and Latin rhythms. Despite the requisite candlelight noodlings and semi-funk party tracks that Benoit has admittedly popularized, there is much to appreciate here. With its ersatz harpsichord intro, the original "You Read My Mind" is reminiscent of early Bob James, and is a welcome breather from the usual bland jams. Similarly, an irony-free cover of Smashmouth's "Then the Morning Comes" brilliantly recalls the best of Burt Bacharach's '60s output. Fuzzy Math is perfect music for a romantic dinner or shopping a bridal registry at the mall. Either way, Benoit fans will no doubt be pleased. Matt Collar