Lloyd Gregory

After recording his third album, the appropriately named Solo Guitar, by himself and playing only standards, Bay Area jazz guitarist Lloyd Gregory returns to the smooth jazz style of his first two albums, Wonderful and Only for You. On his fourth, Free Fallin', Gregory collaborates with a large number of local musicians on the many originals, but the tunes always serve as backdrops to his smooth, melodic playing on acoustic guitar. There are attractive versions of "I Loves You Porgy" and "'Round Midnight," but most of the selections are new compositions. Toward the end, Gregory teams with programmer Felton Pilate for some slightly more synthesized efforts, while the final track matches him with Derek McKinney's flute and string arrangement for a pastoral conclusion. This is a pleasant collection of smooth jazz that demonstrates the guitarist's facility in engaging settings. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide