Heaven and Earth

Tenor Robert Stewart is joined by pianist Glen Pearson, bassist Ron Belcher, and drummer Bill Norwood for a straightforward set of smooth jazz on Heaven and Earth. If there are no real surprises here, Stewart and his companions nonetheless deliver enjoyable renditions of familiar fare like "Send in the Clowns" and "Make Me a Believer." Norwood's smooth vocals on songs like "Children of Light" and "The Gardens" matches the overall tone of the recording and provides variation. Stewart has also written a number of original pieces for Heaven and Earth including the title track, "A Tear for the World," and "The Innocent Ones." His tone is silky and deep, adding warmth to Vandross and Adderley's "The Other Side of the World." Pearson, as the second lead instrumentalist, has a light touch that offers a nice counterpart to Stewart's horn. There is also a positive social message that runs through the songs, hinted at by titles like "Resolution" (also written by Stewart) and "Peace Within." Perhaps Stewart has found a way to combine new age politics with new age music, creating a hybrid that seems almost natural. Smooth jazz fans drawn to solid saxophone work and relaxed vocals will enjoy Heaven and Earth. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi