Atlanta based North "2unes" Woodall,  a superb jazz guitarist, has recorded his "smooth Jazz" album "Straight @ You". He shared the stage with his homies, funk masters Lakeside and The Ohio Players, along with Roger Troutman and Zapp, Roy Ayers, Millie Jackson, Tom Brown and Will Downing.

The CD itself is well produced and engineered. His perfect guitar play is like George Benson, Norman Brown to name a few. This album consist of mostly "Smooth Jazz" instrumentals and some cover versions, adapted to smooth Jazz, by well known groups like "Earth Wind and Fire" and "The whispers" and revealed a piece of himself by contributing five original compositions to this project. Fortunately there are some vocal tracks as well.

Track number one is a cover from the "Whispers" "Rock Steady" from 1987. This version is well done by North especially when the background vocals starts singing. The musicicians did a good yob. It sounds really fresh.

The superb "Sweet Thing" is a song with real high value of a 'smooth jazz' vibe. It sounds great except, for me, the electric lead guitar that begins in the middle of that tune. Real mellow track with splendid vocals. It's a sweet thing.

"Going in Circles" is a slowtempo jazz song with nice horns. One of the not instrumental tracks "All I Need Is You" sounds like the "Brand New Heavies". Beautifull music with even so vocals. Nice muted guitar loops.

The start of cover "Paul Hardcastle"s rain forrest is not that good. But when it's time to press the forward button "North '2unes' Woodall" starts to jam with his crew, like he's telling you 'Eat your heart out' baby.

I'm not sure if track number six "M.V.P." is a live version. It could be that the live crowd is mixed in between, but if it's live then you should see North and crew. This track is done real tight. The bass is that low. It did vibrate my license plate of my car!

Kems "Find Your Way" is perfectly covered. Guitare play bij North is perfect and it is o so smooth

Two Another Smooth Jazz tunes are "Just Add Water" and "Cafe 290" The last one sounds also that is recorded live. You have to see these guys.

"Eart Wind & Fire"s "Let´s Groove Tonight" is the last track from Norths album. It's hard to cover this song because the orginal is that good, and well known. I think this wasn't a good choice by North to do this one in particular.

Overall: for "Smooth Jazz" fans is this album a complement for their collection.

If you are curious how it sound please check soulchoonz.com

Mark Berbiers @ Soulandfunkmusic.com