John Polito: Crossing the Line

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: May 1, 2001

John Polito made his name as sound engineer for the West Coast recording concern, Audio Mechanics, where he has put his stamp on everything from television engineering ( NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope ) to the sound retooling of classic films ( Rebecca, All About Eve ). He now seats himself behind the piano and composition staff and weaves a broad horizon soundscape that annihilates genre. No real specifics are needed as the music and musicianship speaks for itself. This disc will appeal to fans of David Benoit and George Winston, John Tesh and Yanni. And I mean that in a good way. While I will stop short of calling this "New Age", it is very multicultural, multi-genre, and multi-style. The personality of all pieces is light and airy with a tense undercurrent of complexity that will keep the fussiest listener listening. As one might expect, the sonics of the disc are beyond description. There is plenty of punch to this music and it is guaranteed to provide relaxing and provocative entertainment.

Track Listing: Euphoria; Spanish Rain; Time and Space; Aurora Alegre; Walk in the Clouds; Union; In Motion; Heaven Knows; Safe Passage; Home (Total Time: 60:00)

Personnel: John Polito: Keyboards; Andy Abad: Guitar; Charlie: Bisharat: Violin; Doug Lunn: Bass; Martin Florez: Drums; Ramiro Belgardt: Cello; Paul Witt, Paul Salvo: Trumpet; Joe Nazzaretta: Saxophones; David Ryan: Trombone.

Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream