Jango-Dreamtown (1999)

Debtors of the sound of Steely Dan and framed in the West Coast style, Jango is a band from Los Angeles that was founded in the late nineties by Steve Le Gassik and Michael Price, who along with Steve Nieves, Niko Kirgo, Leon Johnson and Dave Beyer released their first album titled "Dreamtown" under the Gold Circle label in 1999.
In this first album, the mixture of instrumental melodies in the purest style of smooth jazz is interspersed with vocal themes with attractive melodies, themes very close to pop but with the essence of jazz like "City of the Second Chance", "With Your Love" is a romantic smooth jazz song that flooded L.A. radio stations and was very popular and "Sunset to the Sea" is a memory of the aforementioned Steely Dan.
A year later they bring their second album "Closer To Home", in which the band reinforces the sound of smooth jazz with funky touches and delves even more in the style of Donald Fagen with an exquisite production and arrangements and with a set list that it remains at a high competitive and instrumental level.

Jango-Closer To Home (2000)

The second release from Californian band Jango is "Closer To Home", another exquisite example of the finest smooth jazz. Often dismissed as a modernized Steely Dan imitation, one could say that "Jango interprets Steely Dan as perfectly as Steely Dan themselves". Beyond this apt observation, the truth is that Jango managed to create a refined and versatile sound in their first two albums, brimming with funk influences, sophisticated synthesizer sounds, rich vocal harmonies, and rhythm and blues rhythms, all delivered with a vibrant and incredibly addictive style. The tenor voice of singer Steve Nieves, along with his delicate touch on saxophone and other wind instruments, the rich contribution of keyboardist Steve Le Gassick, and the brilliant work of guitarist Nick Kirgo, offer great instrumental versatility. In "Closer To Home", this American quintet once again showcases their exquisite musical taste with a repertoire of easy-listening songs at their finest. Tracks like the Steely Dan-esque "Joyful Caravan", the engaging funk jazz "Diamond Drive", the refined "Nightside Express", the consistent "Soul Casserole", the jazz fusion "The Beard" or the bittersweet "Pink Flamingos", make up a work that is as captivating as it is rewarding.