Looking Up opens with an outstanding track in Girl In The Red Dress that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.

Looking Up is a nicely varied, mix of 11 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly talented artist. Most of the songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Smooth Jazz isn't your favorite genre you still can't help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

Listen and I think you'll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Gregg Karukas's piano playing is as usual in top form. Of particular note on this offering is his amazing rendition of First Flight Home with Rick Braun.

While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 1 ? Girl In The Red Dress, track 5 ? First Flight Home, and track 10 ? Deep Into You.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 6 ? Show Me The Way. What a great track!

Looking Up Release Notes:

Gregg Karukas originally released Looking Up on Aug 30, 2005 on the Trippin ?N? Rhythm Records record label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Girl In The Red Dress - (with Michael O'Neill) 2. London Underground - (with Michael O'Neill) 3. Looking Up - (with Thom Rotella) 4. Relentless - (with Michael O'Neill) 5. First Flight Home - (with Rick Braun/Ricardo Silveira) 6. Show Me The Way - (with Michael O'Neill/Andy Suzuki) 7. Corner Club/Clube De Esquina - (with Ricardo Silveira/Andy Suzuki) 8. Isabella - (with Richard Smith) 9. Cross Rhodes - (with Ricardo Silveira/Michael O'Neill/Andy Suzuki) 10. Deep Into You - (with Peter White/Richard Smith) 11. Lost In Negril - (with Richard Smith)

Personnel: Gregg Karukas (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Peter White , Ricardo Silveira (guitar); Michael O'Neill, Thom Rotella (electric guitar); Andy Suzuki (flute, saxophone); Rick Braun (trumpet). Recording information: Night Owl, Los Angeles, CA (2004 - 2005).