Go here and you can listen while you read this.
www.mikericchiuti.com .

OK first of all when was the last time I got so psyched about a new artist discovery that I blitzed the BBs about it..Steve Oliver?? So trust me on this one because I like it so much not only has it been living in my CD player in spite of new arrivals by Steve Cole, Jeff Lorber, Chieli Minucci, Paul Taylor (great CD, I posed about it in his folder!!) and even Spyro Gyra but this is the one I listen to when I have to do stuff I hate doing like bill paying and housework..you know, you play something totally enjoyable to create a distraction or positive energy.

I discovered this one by accident and it has been a breath of fresh air musically. Mike plays keyboards and is currently touring with Jeff Kashiwa so I saw him in Orlando last weekend. I didn't buy the CD because they were comparing it to the Yellowjackets and I am not a big fan of post-Mintzer Yellowjackets although I do like a few songs..well, this CD compares to the ones I do like.

This is *real* contemporary jazz, at the core it is melodic but it is more complex musically and there is a fair amount of improvisation. Chuck Loeb is all over it so comparisons to Metro's more midtempo music are in effect plus definite Yellowjackets overtones, but there is also a bit of "Long Night Out" era Culbertson in there that keeps it accessible enough for all but the most lite-oriented smooth jazz fans. I think Loeb enjoys finding ways to get out of the radio boundaries whether by doing non-urban pop instrumental projects like Jeff K.s "Simple Truth" or more progressive ones like Metro and this CD. Guest Shots by Loeb, Mintzer, Will Lee, David Mann, Jeff Kashiwa, Andy Snitzer (so great to hear him) and Kim Waters..and the performances by Mann, Snitzer, Kashiwa and Waters show what they can do when they are allowed to stretch out in a setting that is not forcibly smooth..

Check this one out..its the perfect mix of edgy and accessible..and sound samples start when you open the website..
www.mikericchiuti.com

Just got home from seeing Chuck Loeb at the Berks Jazz Fest. On a whim, I picked up a copy of Mike's CD at the show. I was going to save it for a long drive next week, but now I really can't wait to listen to it.

I'd heard of, but never listened to Andy Snitzer (also mentioned by Shannon) before tonight - he sat in with the band, and was great. Also, David Mann, who opened was excellent.

Listen to it!!! you'll love it!!!

Andy Snitzer's two WB CDs are great..I like the second one, In The Eye of the Storm, a little bit better. He and WB parted ways..wonder if he just didn't want to be processed by Paul Brown. He is big time underrated!

I listened!

This is a really, really nice CD.

With the lineup of musicians involved, the playing quality wasn't in doubt. The quality of Mike's writing was a great surprise. (A thought for another topic is "Great Musicians Who Should Only Play Other's Music"). There are some great tunes on this CD.

I think this will be one of those guilty pleasure CD's that I'll almost hate listening to - in the perverse fear that I'll get tired of of listening to it.

One other thing from Friday's show: Chuck Loeb, who just comes across as one of the most down to earth people in the music business, played one song each from Mike R. and Ron Jenkins (his bass player). The Ricciuti song wasn't from "The Way I See It," it was a song that Mike wrote for Chuck's new (in May) E-Bop CD.

Shannon, you're right on target about this CD. Did you order the CD, or did you find it locally(Coconuts?, Best Buy?). His website's absolutely one of the best ones I've seen . . . . eye-catching and intuitive, rather jazzy itself.