(Crossover Jazz, Jazz-Pop) Hubert Laws - Bridge over Troubled Water (Japan Edition) - 2002, MP3, 320 kbps

Flute virtuoso Hubert Laws has always occupied his own artistic turf, whether interpreting works by Mozart, Stravinsky, Dvorák, Debussy, Satie, Fauré, and J.S. Bach or improvising with immaculate ease through the modern jazz compositions of Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane. He has also demonstrated a well-grounded attitude toward the mainstream pop repertoire, which he handles with comparable mastery. Bridge over Troubled Water, as one might guess, is an entire album of hit tunes by Paul Simon. Each melody is executed with the relaxed precision that has always characterized much of this artist's work. The flutist is backed by pianist John Beasley, bassist Stanley Gilbert, drummer Ralph Penland, and the West L.A. Strings under the direction of Stanley Gilbert. The familiarity of the playlist makes this an ideal choice for weddings and family gatherings, with the friendly friction generated during "Cecilia" and "I Am a Rock" bringing up welcome intimations of honest jazz.