Saxophonist Eric Darius offers listeners 11 memorable performances on Just Getting Started. The CD, which is his second major-label release in as many years, tops Night on the Time in production values, guest star performances, and sheer compositional might because of his collaborations with Brian Culbertson, Darren Rahn, Paul Brown, his hit-making labelmate Euge Groove, and the Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Jeff Lorber on several songs. Together their jam session sound and musicality provide fresh funk, breezy vibes, and wicked chops. "Steppin' Up" jump-starts the CD with a highly personal mixture of sax lines that are superbly complemented by the rhythmic phrasings of the instruments. He continues with "Lover's Paradise," on which Darius builds his creativity and beautifully evokes a time, mood, and place. His sound intersects with the superb sonics of his collaborators to bring on shimmering contemporary grooves that are undoubtedly the characteristics of his renewed sound. Part funk, part smooth jazz, this set is balanced just right. It aptly showcases Eric Darius on a series of compositions that are rich in their references and which take on a deeper meaning with every listen. ~ Paula Edelstein 　　  　　Recording information: BCM Studios, Los Angeles, CA (08/2005-10/2005); Castle oaks (08/2005-10/2005); Chase's Place, Phoenix, AZ (08/2005-10/2005); Diamond Mind Studios, Carmarillo, CA (08/2005-10/2005); Funky Joint Studio (08/2005-10/2005); JHL SOund, Pacific Palisades, CA (08/2005-10/2005); Litterbox, Denver, CO (08/2005-10/2005); Panda Productions, Clearwater, FL (08/2005-10/2005). 　　  　　Photographer: Eric Larson. 　　  　　Arrangers: Euge Groove; Brian Culbertson. 　　  　　Personnel: Eric Darius (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eric Darius; Jason Atkins (vocals, guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, programming); Paul Brown (vocals, guitar, percussion); Paul Jackson, Jr. , Tony Maiden (guitar); Frank Selman (electric guitar); Euge Groove (strings, piano, Wurlitzer organ, programming); Brandon Fields (saxophone); Darren Rahn (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, keyboards, programming, drum programming, percussion programming); Bruce Calloway (baritone saxophone); Peter Olstad (trumpet, flugelhorn); Michael Stever (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); Nick Milo, Ron Reinhardt (piano); Michael Egizi, Jeff Lorber (Fender Rhodes piano); Chuck Cymone (keyboards, drums); Al Forman (keyboards); Dave Hooper, Oscar Seaton (drums); Felix da Housecat (cymbals, hi-hat, tambourine); Scott Steiner, Micah Otano (hand claps); Brian Culbertson (trombone, piano, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards, hand claps, percussion, drum programming); Mel Brown (electric bass); Mitchel Forman, Paul Brown , Alex Al. 　　  　　Audio Mixers: Darren Rahn; Scott Steiner; Bill Schnee. 　　  　　JazzTimes (p.82) - "Darius and friends deliver catchy, radio-friendly pop-jazz right out of the gate with 'Steppin' Up' and they don't let up 'til the last notes of 'Slick'."