In the seven years since Munich-born, Los Angeles-based guitarist became a fixture in the smooth jazz genre via his massive radio hit "Pacific Coast Highway," he hasn't become the A-list fixture at the big festivals and all-star cruises as he should be -- but his consistency in composing and recording funked-out, super-crisp electric guitar gems that soothe as they groove has been formidable. Perhaps it's because he set a high bar for himself writing a book called How to Make Your Guitar Talk. Or maybe because, as on the dynamic and infectious , he's always working with and drawing inspiration from an incredible array of all-star musical cohorts. From the simmering, brass-fired rock-soul of the title track through the bluesy old-school soul-jazz romp "Funk in da House," ' fluid and crackling lines dance and dart over the pockets created alternately by and (drums) working with (bass). 's piano and organ spots add a rich jazz and blues depth to ' lighthearted (but just gritty enough) pop/rock vibe. In a happy surprise of a moment, a duet between and fellow genre guitar star is a soaring thoughtful ballad, full of eloquent expression (think a classic crying ballad) rather than a hard rock free-for-all (which these two could have done in a heartbeat). That single track adds a powerful emotional balance to the set -- and adds dynamic heart and soul to this glorious romp through the city grooves the title promises. ~ Jonathan Widran