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About Looking Up
Product Description One of the most superb keyboardists in Smooth Jazz has released one of our most favorite CDs of 2005, LOOKING UP. Karukas has always had a knack for kick ass melodies (it's okay to use that term in Smooth Jazz, we're not prudes). However, on this new release he is demonstrating a whole new level of mastery on his compositions... Special guests include Rick Braun, Ricardo Silveira, Peter White, Thom Rotella, and Richard Smith. The entire album is truly enjoyable from beginning to end, so while it's challenging to pick out stand out tracks to highlight, we'll try... The sizzling and smooth, "London Underground" is the first to come to mind. A hit for Smooth Jazz radio from coast to coast. Another gem is the latest radio single, "Show Me The Way," sure to be a big favorite with music enthusiasts this fall as well as the sensuous "Deep Into You" and something near and dear to my heart, the Caribbean influenced, "Lost In Negril" (yes please). LOOKING UP is definitely in my Top 10 favorite Smooth Jazz releases in 2005 for it's fashionable and alluring listening experience. ~SANDY SHORE Review From Gregg Karukas' prolific resume as a sideman for Boney James, Peter White, and Larry Carlton, among others, to a hot streak of radio hits dating back to 1987, this versatile keyboardist perfectly captures the joyful, optimistic, smooth jazz lifestyle. The title of his latest independently released gem, Looking Up, characterizes the uplifting nature of the disc, which features a slate of more irresistible keyboard melodies and a wide rhythmic palette that includes old-school soul, driving funk, samba (his Brazilian associations include Sergio Mendes and Dori Caymmi), reggae, and his first forays into the chill phenomenon. The disc opens with the vibrant and graceful, easy swinging light funk of "Girl in the Red Dress" (which features lush, retro-soul Rhodes harmonies), then takes us to the funky, old-school "London Underground," the disc's first single which includes B-3 organ harmonies. On the moody, chill-oriented title track, Karukas swirls his bright piano melody with cool, trippy ambient and rhythmic effects. Rick Braun's distant muted trumpet helps Karukas explore the more romantic side of chill on the soothing, lush ballad "First Flight Home," which is followed by "Show Me the Way," a tune that captures the "classic Karukas" sound -- happy, swinging brass sizzling behind a bright, bouncy key melody. While more artistic- than consumer-friendly, the track that digs deepest is "Crossrhodes," a trippy, percussive excursion through classic styles that have been foundational in the keyboardist's musical evolution -- Latin, blues and old-school soul. Karukas once again dares even the most confirmed musical skeptic to kick back with a glass of wine and smile through the dark times. --All Music Guide By all accounts, Looking Up has tremendous elements of listening pleasure firmly embedded within its tracks from start to finish. Additional enhancements are brought to bear with the inclusion of Rick Braun's and Roberto Silveira's influential chops on "First Flight Home." When attempting to put this entire project into perspective, Gregg Karukas' division of labor is very apparent. He has filled this CD with plenty of artistic impression, which makes for a very likable journey into sound, one that is seamless and thoroughly inviting. --jazzreview.com
