Johannes, it's really nice piano performance in the the style of Rick Kelly, Brian Culbertson or Nate Harasim. Great melodies. My review is published here:

http://www.smooth-jazz.de/starportrait/Fritzen/Vip.htm

I have been listening to straight-ahead jazz lately. Here are some of them:

Pat Coil - True North
Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy - Live at the Modern Drummer Festival
Roy Hargove Quintet - Earfood
Christian Scott - Live at Newport
e.s.t. - Somehwere to Elsewhere
Joshua Redman - Mood Swing
Peter Martin - Something Unexpected

Peace and goodwill.

Till Brönner - Midnight. A noteworthy re-issue now on the Verve/Universal label.

Lyle Mays - "Fictionary" (a shame this incredible musician is out of the music industry, to the best of my knowledge...)

Christian Scott - "Anthem"

Dave Weckl Band - "Transition"

Spyro Gyra - "Dreams Beyond Control"

Bruce Hornsby - "Camp Meeting"

Yellowjackets - "Lifecycle"

George Benson - The Essential George Benson vol. 1 and 2
Hiroshima - Legacy
Joe McBride - Lookin' for a Change
The Moreira Project - The Journey
The Best of Paquito D'Rivera
Tower of Power - Great American Soulbook
Spyro Gyra - 20/20
Diane Schuur and B.B. King - Heart to Heart
Nichola Thys - Virgo

RE: Lyle Mays-what IS he doing? Is there to be nothing more ever from PMG?
Does Lyle not have live and studio solo projects? Does he produce?
-Attending Spyro Gyra concert this evening(talk about great jazz keyboardists!)-so today-in the old Sony 5 CD Changer:
DOWN THF WIRE-SPYRO GYRA
GOOD TO GO-GO- SPYRO GYRA
ROAD SCHOLARS-SPYRO GYRA
ACCESS ALL AREAS-SPYRO GYRA
BEST OF THE FIRST TEN YEARS-SPYRO GYRA
Peace.
Paul

Lately it's been:

1. "Dedicated To You" - Kurt Elling (Concord, 2009)
2. "Milton" - Milton Nascimento (A&M, 1976)
3. "Courage" - Milton Nascimento (Verve/CTI, 1969)
4. "Samba To Go" - Hendrik Meurkens (Zoho, 2009)
5. "Evanescence" - Maria Schneider Orchestra (Enja, 1994)
6. "Choices" - Brian Bromberg (A440 Music, 2002)
7. "Live At Yoshi's" - Mulgrew Miller Trio (MaxJazz, 2004)
8. "Wild For You" - Karrin Allyson (Concord, 2004)
9. "Pearls" - David Sanborn (Elektra Entertainment, 1995)
10. "Music From the Night Before" - David Sanborn (Elektra Entertainment, 1996)
11. "Muted Miles" - Miles Davis (Prestige, 1955-56, reissued 2008)
12. "Down to the Wire" - Spyro Gyra (Heads Up, 2009)
13. "No Sweat" - Gary Willis (Alchemy Records, 1996)
14. "Multiplicity" - Dave Weckl Band (Stretch, 2005)
15. "Jazz Heritage Series" - Frank Capp Juggernaut (Concord, 1997)

Just wanted to drop a line about a terrific new release by Bassist Christian McBride on the Mack Avenue label entitled "Kind of Brown." (6/09). He calls this group "Inside Straight."

The other players joining bassist McBride, are Steve Wilson on saxophone, Eric Reed on piano, Carl Allen on drums, and a new vibraphonist, Warren Wolfe, we are bound to hear more of in the days ahead.

You should really check this one out. To be sure it's straight-ahead jazz in its approach, however most of the arrangements and playing have a very nice swinging, yet tasteful appeal. I believe most of you will like this one.

I can't help thinking this is a symptom of the larger issue.
Two-disc set: Sound of Jazz FM 2009
Honestly, it's a very good collection 28 songs. The instrumentals are smooth jazz and mostly gimmick free, although several are covers of pop/R&B songs.
However, each disc starts with a vintage (1970s) R&B/soul hit: Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love and The Isley Brothers' For the Love of You.
Really a good set in regard to smooth jazz, but I have to question the inclusion of those opening tracks.

Pat Metheny - "One Quiet Night"

It's almost hard to believe the entire cd is just one person!