Jeff Lorber Recaptures The Spirit Of Jazz Fusion On Now Is The Time June 1, 2010, Heads Up release features material from the Jeff Lorber Fusion with Jimmy Haslip, Eric Marienthal, Paul Jackson, Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker and others.
“Keyboardist/composer Jeff Lorber will release a new album, Now Is the Time, June 1. The Heads Up International/Concord Music Group project revisits the musician’s previous career incarnation as frontman of the Jeff Lorber Fusion. Joining him in the 21st century version of the group are bassist Jimmy Haslip (who co-produced the album with Lorber and Bobby Colomby), saxophonist Eric Marienthal, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl.” Billboard Bulletin
“These days Lorber has dropped the term ‘fusion’ from his billing but provides a generous helping of fusion beats with his new project, Now Is The Time, where his older work keeps company with six fresh sounds.” JazzReview.com
“With its radio friendly R&B songs and instrumentals that cover the scope of electrified jazz, Now Is the Time is a listener’s album. Lorber engages any person who has been into his music from the time he broke out with Jeff Lorber Fusion until now. Now Is the Time stands as one of those instances when the effort to provide something for everybody creates something worthwhile for everybody. Recommended.” Soul Tracks
“Now Is the Time is hardly the work of a jazz purist or a bop snob, but it certainly has a jazz improviser’s mentality, and Lorber sees to it that his 2010 versions of Jeff Lorber Fusion gems like ‘Black Ice’ and ‘Chinese Medicinal Herbs’ are not carbon copies of the original versions. That spirit of improvisation prevails not only on the Jeff Lorber Fusion-era material he revisits, but also, on an appealing arrangement of Wayne Shorter’s Weather Report-associated ‘Mysterious Traveler.’ Now Is the Time is a fine album that will easily appeal to those who appreciate the spontaneity of early efforts like Water Sign and Soft Space.” All Music Guide
“On the first Jeff Lorber Fusion release since the stellar 1981 Arista Records project, Galaxian, Now Is The Time, we find the trailblazing keyboardist revisting a sound he helped pioneer. This time with the help of Yellowjackets’ bassist, Jimmy Haslip and mega talents, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and David Weckl, the Blood, Sweat and Tears Horns, and many other great players from the Smooth Jazz arena. Co-Produced by Jeff, Jimmy Haslip and Blood, Sweat and Tears alum, Bobby Colomby, this is the album that WILL win him Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards ceremonies.” The Urban Music Scene
“Every subsequent CD has always offered something different and now he is turning back the clock, not only by recording his brand new Now Is The Timeunder the name ‘Jeff Lorber Fusion’ but also by taking the opportunity to blend some of the best tunes from his early ‘Fusion’ years with six fresh sounds. The outcome is an engaging compilation that will appeal both to his long-time fans and those discovering his wonderful music for the first time…well worth checking out.” Smooth Jazz Therapy
“The bottom line is that Jeff Lorber, as Jeff Lorber Fusion reincarnated on this one, has knocked this production out of the park with a very clever approach to recapturing the essence of contemporary jazz. If you want to travel back but with traces of the good elements of today’s innovativeness still present throughout the music, Now Is The Time. Let Jeff Lorber be your guide on that journey.” The Smooth Jazz Ride
“Now is the Time is an apt title for this project, in that it’s as vibrant, innovative and musically challenging now as it was when many of these songs were first recorded. It hasn’t aged. It breathes new life. As usual Jeff uses great musicians, but the addition of singer Irene B has made this an unforgettable record.” Bobby Colomby
“…this is a dandy walk through the fusion garden with some of it’s finest practitioners showing the way. Totally solid contemporary jazz listening date that you really don’t have to be sitting down to enjoy.” Midwest Record
