I first heard ZB on the local 'smooth jazz' station back in '96 or so. It naturally stood out strongly because it is not smooth jazz, or at least what I think of as smooth jazz. Peter White is smooth jazz, with boring drum machines, limited tone, and just plain fluff. ZB represents the long lineage of fine true jazz guitarists that came before him, from Charlie Christian through Wes Montgomery and Grant Green, then George Benson, and now with the likes of Chris Standring and Norman Brown. This is real music, with soul and punch, and great variety of moods on one disc. It's worth every penny. I also have Laidback and Groovin' (which I found in a Tucson used music store in '99, after searching for a copy for 6 months...) They are both wonderful, full of passion, with a little bit of an edge. This music will keep you smiling.