Hits and misses

Gregg Kallor

4/5

You could have caught jazz pianist Gregg Kallor honing his skills down the road at Tufts' own partner in musical crime, the New England Conservatory, as recently as two years ago. His debut album offers something to please just about everyone. Performing as a trio with drum and bass, the artists slide into the album with slow and delicate bass notes, coaxing listeners inwards. Then deliberate piano assertions underline the pensive reflection that permeates tunes like opener "Voice of Reason" and title track, "There's a Rhythm." Just as soon as the soothing tones have got you feeling cool, the trio turns it up and launches into a hot, let's-have-fun-this-one sort of approach. "On Green Dolphin Street" and "Double Down" meld the forward motion of an almost-funky bass, the light touch of playful drum solos, and Kallor's own purposeful laziness. Hear him smile as his fingers alternately tap, paw, and caress his instrument's keys. -Rob Lott

Timo Maas

4/5

All the prime ingredients are just waiting to be mixed. Timo Maas won fame with his remixes, but this album of original material sees him constructing sound from scratch to great effect. Nothing on Loud aspires to the epic, but given the complexity and appeal of the lengthier tracks - from club-floor punch in "Old School Vibes" to trance in "Manga" to energetic moodiness in "Like Love" - one has to wonder what Maas would sound like if he combined his new work with his mixing talents. In an ironic shift, Maas may find his music being remixed by other people for once; the sounds and beats on Loud would make for some powerful base material. Don't discount the originals, however, and risk missing out on Maas' intelligent writing. A sleek, climactic dance set it isn't, but Loud's strong flavors, varied styles, and careful compositions will please people in the mood to listen rather than shake their troubles away.

-Drew Shelton