Brian Culbertson
Modern Life (Bluemoon) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)
DePaul University music student Brian Culbertson now has two records under his belt and the funked-up “Modern Life” shows the maturity of a leader, not just a deckmate warming up for the spotlight. His second recording certainly belies the fact that he is a collegian–and that keyboards are not his No. 1 instrument (he totes a trombone around campus). Truth be told, he’s probably teaching the teachers a thing or two. Mark Colby’s saxwork brims with romantic fervor on “In Her Eyes.” Culbertson’s compositions allow such noted area performers as bassist Steve Rodby, saxophonists Colby and Gerald Albright to really fly. “Save the Best for Last” taps elements of David Foster’s music while “Out of the Mist” harks to Spyro Gyra.