Just saw Jesse Cook...yeaow!

Oops...make that "Never heard him live....".

..smooth jazzy.. yah..apparently he came out of the Narada thing years ago, though it appears he's developed beyond this, from what I saw/heard.

I too have a decided .."meh" ear for smooth jazz...too syrupy for me. Traditional jazz..50's-60's is sooo much better.

As for 'world'..  some of this can be much too, however I enjoy hearing unfamiliar, traditional instruments and music styles on their own or mixed with their western counterparts.  It's what music/art/design has always been and has always done..combine influences of different style-cultures into something new.  It appears Jesse gets 'classified'  as nuevo-flamenco..yah..seems reasonable. 

..ohh  and hearing his group live..two thumbs up..each member of his group is overflowing with talent in a wide range of instruments/vocals/percussion.  You can tell they really enjoy what they're doing.  Fun show. The audience was on their feet for much of the show.   

@fishboat 
Glad you were not offended.  Didn't know Jesse Cook's Narada roots.  That explains things a bit.  The best tracks on Gravity are engaging and not at all smooth jazz/new age.  They display has his own "voice" as it were.  If you like "classic"/traditional jazz you'll probably enjoy the Jazz Aficionados thread if you haven't come across that yet.

Just listened to the YouTube link to Gravity and it reminded me of acoustic alchemy. :)