Singer Randy Crawford and pianist Joe Sample are no strangers to each other. Their first collaboration dates back to 1979 when they scored the world hit Street Life with Sample's Crusaders. The Crusaders went down to creative exhaustion in the 1980s and Sample went solo. In 2006 Crawford and Sample decided to resume their collaboration with Feeling Good, a CD that seems to please the smooth jazz
… market. Fortunately they keep far from the slick tunes and smooth production that characterize the genre and Feeling Good is a feast for the ear due to Sample's cool funky playing. Crawford's massive voice still sounds as clear as in the time of her biggest hit One Day I'll Fly Away (1980). Drummer Steve Gadd is on z ' Best when he is allowed to use his brushes and delivers a tight, functional accompaniment with bassist Christian McBride. This makes Feeling Good an extremely pleasant collection of funky slow songs and ballads. (AD)more