Finding Paradise

Finding Paradise

Pianist David Lanz once joked that his melodic, soul-searching music could be categorized as "New-and-improved Age." On <I>Finding Paradise</I>, his second release for Decca, Lanz calls his approach "Smooth Age"--a fitting description and a smart career move for Lanz, whose recent solo and orchestral projects have been bypassed by smooth-jazz radio. Lanz enlists saxophonist Dave Koz, guitarists Peter White and Marc Antoine, and other guests to give several <I>Paradise</I> tracks a more rhythmic, radio-friendly pulse. The switch suits Lanz's melodic instincts well, turning the opening cuts ("That Smile" and "Walk on Water") into engaging, sun-filled gems. Thereafter, the disc varies in style from back-bending sax (on a remake of Neil Diamond's "America") and calypso lite ("Romantica") to a few string-enhanced solo works ("Tears for Alice," "Love Lost, Love Found"). While the disc doesn't quite sustain the momentum of the opening tracks, it's a likable package overall. <I>--Terry Wood</I>