Raw Silk

From Smooth Jazz Vibes. Com GLENN McNULTY - RAW SILK (Isona Records), 42:44 This is the debut album by San Francisco based saxophonist Glenn McNulty. It is a top-notch production with some major input by Ray Obiedo producing and arranging and guest musicians like Nelson Braxton on bass, Steve Erquiaga on guitar, Curtis Ohlson on bass apart from many others. The sound of Glenn's saxophone playing is warm and soulful providing a string of pleasant tunes ranging from funky to laid-back to latin to smooth. Worth to mention are the radio-friendly and sunny 'Poolside' and the dreamy 'Summer Tides' with it's cool synth touches building slowly to a rousing climax with Glenn roaring on the sax like Gato at his best. This is a first-rate album which is heartly recommended. March 1999 - Jonathan Widran's monthly column he writes for JAZZIZ magazine. The wealth of great sax players in the genre makes for a double edged sword for the new artist; it's difficult to create a sound unlike that of anyone else, and way too easy for the listener to make obvious comparisons to everyone who's gone before. Glenn McNulty made a good choice when he called his Isona Records debut Raw Silk because he takes his tenor in two basic directions - a swaying, gentle cool which provokes the soulful appeal of Boney James and a more aggressive slow burning effect which falls somewhere between the dynamics of Richard Elliot and Gato Barbieri. When he's playing it romantic, it's as though he's holding back a little, keeping the melody a bit subdued on 'Jump Start,' for instance, while Ray Obiedo's Wes Montgomery like electric guitar harmony adds the true distinction to the track. This type of grace works better on the whispery, breathy tones of the Brazilian flavored ballad 'Today' and 'Softly Spoken,' which achieves a French Caf effect courtesy of Rick Kuhns' wistful accordian touch. But it's not until the jumpier brassy blues tune 'Poolside' that McNulty really let's loose and gets raw and funky. 'Summer Tides' combines the best of both approaches, as the saxman eases softly into a mid-tempo ballad that later offers pockets for some powerful improvisations. Jazzmanonline. #net I really enjoyed this first release from Bay area saxophonist Glenn McNulty. From the soothing opening track, 'I Want To Thank You', to the bouncy 'Jump Start', to the pensive mood of 'Bittersweet', Glenn brings a heartfelt approach to his playing. 'Today' is a particularly compelling track, with just a whisper of keyboards - very nice! 'Poolside' features a great organ solo from Dave Mathews. Raw Silk is indeed, a very fine CD. I consider it to be one of the musical rewards of a brave new musical world.