Bittersweet

Gene Diamond is a fine Los Angeles-based singer whose style is a little reminiscent of that of Ernie Andrews and, to a lesser extent, Joe Williams. This CD, which dates from around 2002, is at its best when Diamond is romping on the hotter material. Unfortunately the ballads, though heartfelt, often have Diamond backed by a cheesy-sounding electric piano that occasionally tries to simulate strings. If the keyboardists had stuck to acoustic piano, the music would have been much better. Also, tenor saxohonist Pete Christlieb and trumpeter Carl Saunders, two of the best, are underutilized. Christlieb cuts loose and steals the show on "Muddy Water Blues" while Saunders has a spot on "Love Is Like an Old Man," but they should have been given the opportunity to interact more with the singer. In addition, this version of "Lover Man," which becomes "Lover Girl," has inferior lyrics. So overall this is a bit of a mixed bag that will hopefully precede other recordings by Gene Diamond.