The Buffalo-based instrumental ensemble Spyro Gyra has release their latest CD entitled Wrapped In A Dream and boy is it a good one.

I'm an old Spyro fan from way back in the Morning Dance days and I must say this is the band's most inspired sound in years. It's the kind of stuff that got me locked into jazz in the first place all those years ago. The sound of a group of guys having a great time making music together.

For over three decades Spyro Gyra's key components, saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Tom Schuman, have absolutely been the gold standard of the smooth jazz genre.

This latest offering even features ex-member Dave Samuels, along with Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista and guitarist Julio Fernandez.

The CD launches with a hot funky track, Spyro Time, that I suspect will be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere.

From there the listener is reminded why Spyro Gyra is considered one the greatest smooth jazz bands to ever enter the genre. Very Good stuff here.

Further into the collection I found Track 8, After the Storm to be a rare for me, love at first listen track. It has some really nice Spanish influence intertwined with a nice, funky groove that when put together the way it is equals a real easy listen.

Overall Wrapped In A Dream is an outstanding release. Must have music for sure. I give it three thumbs up. [...hey, wait a minute]

At any rate this is a CD even the casual smooth jazz fan can and will appreciate. This is just plain good stuff. Just the right mixture of smooth and funky tracks.

The standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites on Wrapped In A Dream are Midnight Thunder [track 2], Impressions Of Madrid [track 5], and After The Storm [track 8]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, The Lowdown. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Spyro Gyra originally released Wrapped In A Dream on February 28, 2006 on the Heads Up record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Spyro Time
2. Midnight Thunder
3. The Voodooyoodoo
4. Tuesday
5. Impressions Of Madrid
6. Impressions Of Toledo
7. Wrapped In A Dream
8. After The Storm
9. Walkin' Home
10. The Lowdown
11. Lil' Mono
12. Woogitybop

To listen to samples of each song on Wrapped In A Dream by Spyro Gyra go to: Spyro Gyra CD - Wrapped In A Dream Samples