Rhythm and Romance

1	Sax-O-Loco 5:13
2	Ritmo y Romance Rhythm & Romance 7:11
3	Sabor a Mi 4:22
4	Tango 5:27
5	Mirame Bailar / Barbara Muñoz 3:51
6	Peruvian Nights 6:16
7	Brasilia 6:42
8	Besame Mucho 7:11
9	Fiesta Loca 4:10
10	Es Hora de Decir / Camila 5:18
11	Copa de Amor 6:00
12	Salsa Kenny 5:17

Barnes & Noble

With a success record like his, it would be easy for Kenny G to coast at this stage. So it's to the saxophonist's credit that he shifts his signature sound every so slightly in a Latin direction. No one would mistake Kenny for a Mario Rivera or Jimmy Bosch -- his soloing is blissfully ignorant of the rhythmic demands of the clavé, but plenty of more serious jazz musicians made the same gringo moves back in the '50s. Mixing up his Latin bag with Brazilian, tango, and South American rhythms, Kenny's album is almost a nostalgic glimpse at the Ricky Ricardo era, as he plies melodic run over melodic run, skipping across the percolating beat of the bongos. What Kenny G triumphs at on Rhythm & Romance is what he's best at: creating a sustained, undemanding backdrop for casual listening -- and fans will welcome this mildly spicy departure.

All Music Guide

Smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G delivers more of his trademark romantic saxophone sound, but with a Latin tinge on 2008's Rhythm and Romance. Rather than simply delivering a standard smooth jazz album with a few Latin beats, G has crafted a more of a straight-up Latin dance album. Moving from the frenetic and up-tempo salsa of "Sax-O-Loco," to the romantic and elegant orchestral ballad "Sabor a Mi" and the steamy fun of "Miramir Bailar," this is a rhythmically compelling and passionate affair that finds G in newly energized form. Where G can sometimes seem a little too programmed and predictable, here he and his fellow musicians are fired up with a kind of organic, playful joy. We even get to hear him burning through his solo on the gypsy-inflected "Peruvian Nights" with a visceral fortitude that's more post-bop than instrumental pop. Joining G here are such Latin music luminaries as former Weather Report drummer Alex Acuña, percussionists Paulinho Da Costa and Michito Sanchez, and guest vocals featuring Barbara Muñoz and the Mexican pop trio Camila. Matt Collar