'Little Big Band II' sanitizes swing music

A follow-up to 1993's original "Little Big Band" album, James' sequel is an ode to '40s-style R&B dance tunes. He covers several standards made popular by some of the genre's most notable figures, including Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Jackie Wilson.

James' 12-member ensemble is impeccably tight, and the song arrangements are actually quite tasteful. In terms of styles, "Little Big Band II" runs the full gambit, from the jump-blues of "Jumpin' from Six to Six" and Louis Prima's "Oh Babe" to the raucous shuffle of Wilson's "Let's Shout (Baby Work Out)."

James' big band plays a fine supporting role, with Kaz Kazanoff (possibly the last czar of Russia) and Greg Piccolo turning in noteworthy performances on baritone and tenor saxes, respectively. Former Stevie Ray Vaughan sideman Reese Wynans contributes complementary piano work throughout the entire album, and adds some boisterous Hammond organ on "Triple Shot."

Modern production methods, however, spoil James' effort at a nostalgic throwback to the past. The sound quality is a little too clean, the vocals a bit too processed and the album as a whole just comes off as overly polished. Simply stated, it sounds like pop-swing.

An example of glossy studio perfection and little inherent character, "Little Big Band II" cements Colin James as the Matchbox 20 of swing music.

02-02-99