BOZ SCAGGS

“Dig”

Virgin

Call it smooth and silky, call it R&B, call it anything, but Boz Scaggs has made a calling from it, since leaving the original Steve Miller Band many, many years ago.

“Dig,” Scaggs’ second album in a mini comeback of sorts after several years on the sideline, out of both the studio and the concert halls, is a bit different than the rhythm and blues based “Come On Home,” released four years ago. On “Dig,” Scaggs has brought a contemporary sheen to his “Silk Degrees” roots, with some smooth playing and singing that harkens back to his radio friendly days in the mid 1970s.

With only an ill advised reach into rap on one song the only clear misstep, “Dig” plays uniformly strong throughout. Scaggs keeps a stellar group of studio musicians, many of the ones who have played with Steely Dan in recent years, cooking throughout this set.

If you enjoyed the Boz Scaggs of “Lowdown” and the “Lido Shuffle,” you will love this recording.

- Mark T. Gould