Alex Bugnon is a composer and keyboardist who has just redefined the "smooth" part of smooth jazz. Southern Living is pure joy: cool, laidback, light on the ears, laden with soulful style and fired up with funk.

The sound of the piano does for jazz keyboard what Marion Meadows does for sax; add a dash of Spyro Gyra and pour yourself a long drink, put your feet up and your head back, and indulge in a luxurious listening experience! He is joined by a talented bunch of musicians: Sonny Emory and Ricardo Jordan on drums, trumpeter Melvin Miller, guitarist Rick Watford, Ronnie Garret on bass and vocals, and Tiffany Davis on vocals for "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World." Every track hits the spot, and for the better part of an hour, Bugnon will transport you to the space that is Southern Living.

This is my introduction to this artist and I am keen to hear his other seven recordings, although I understand that this CD is a departure from a previous synthesizer-based sound to a simpler style. This album has certainly not been off my player for long since I first listened to it: I guess I am now a fan!

[ visit Alex Bugnon's website ]