A long time ago, in Music 104, The History of Jazz, a most wise instructor informed his class of eager young students getting an easy elective credit, "You're going to learn about jazz. And not that Kenny G. crap, either." And although one of those eager young students got an "A" in the class, he still wouldn't know good jazz from bad if it jumped up and bit him in the shnikies. Yes, I know that Kenny G. is crap, but I can hardly tell fusion from bop from contemporary.

Sure, there a few pieces of jazz material on the bookshelf. Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Louis Prima and Louis Armstrong. But such shining stars do not an expert make. And that's the approach this review shall take to tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer and his new record, Quality Time. Not only is this review written for the jazz- challenged, it is written by the jazz- challenged.

Influenced by jazz greats John Coltrane and Mike Brecker, Bob Mintzer is accomplished in several different genres of music. He can play big band, Latin, and bop amongst others. But Quality Time is more of a straight- ahead, user- friendly kind of jazz. It's not the type of stuff you'd hear on your local smooth jazz station, but by no means a landmark record for the true jazz afficionado. If there's one thing that can be said for the record, it's that it's eclectic. While tracks like the ballad "All is Quiet" sound pulled straight off a Coltrane compilation. "Emit A1" sounds like a more modern bop which could have been culled from a Herbie Hancock album.

But too many of the tracks, like the title cut, are just so... vanilla. And despite Mintzer's competent playing, many of his solos lack energy. It's like listening to a rock tribute band-- the sound is there, but the feeling isn't. This lack of dynamics ultimately make Quality Time nothing more than an average jazz outing, at best. It's background music for vacuuming the apartment, but not recommended material for impressing acquaintances with your musical prowess. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to listen to Lotion for a while.

-Duane Ambroz