Jane

After accompanying artists ranging from Jack McDuff to violinist Michael Urbaniak, Jane Getter made her recording debut as a leader with Jane. For this generally pleasing fusion disc, the guitarist employed mostly musicians from her New York-based working band of the late 1990s, including keyboardist Adam Holtzman, electric bassist Victor Bailey, drummer Rodney Holmes and percussionist Abdou M'Boup. Although Getter's primary emphasis is on meaty, substantial fusion, she does include a few boring NAC/quiet storm throwaways. The worst offender is a mindless note-for-note cover of the Gap Band's "Outstanding"; Getter doesn't sound like her heart is really into playing elevator music, and she comes across as a lot more sincere on edgier, more substantial jazz-rock originals like the metallic "Deep People," the poetic "Riza" and the mysterious "Little Hands." The difference between "Beck & Forth" (Getter's driving ode to rocker Jeff Beck) and "Outstanding" is the difference between superficiality and going with what's in your gut. Not a perfect CD but one that has more strengths than weaknesses, Jane indicated that Getter could have a bright future as a leader if she avoided fluff and stuck with more creative music. ~ Alex Henderson|