Fuzzy Logic

One of smooth jazz’s early architects turns up the heat ever so slightly. Benoit’s flourished approach on piano takes the lead over a lean, soft-edged funk sound from a rhythm section. For textural variation, trumpeter Rick Braun and pop flutist Tim Weisberg toss licks into the groove stew of ”War of the S.U.V.’s,” and woodwinds grace the balladic ”Reflections.” Overall, the music doesn’t demand too much of the listener—the smooth jazz ethic in action.