Listening to Zachary Breaux's commercial work on Laidback, it's clear that the guitarist was capable of a lot more. That said, this isn't a bad album -- it isn't a masterpiece, but it's enjoyable most of the time. Mindful of George Benson's more commercial instrumental work, Breaux gets into a likable jazz/R&B/pop groove on such originals as "Small Town in Texas" and "West Side Worry." Harmonica great Toots Thielemans has pleasant, if unremarkable, cameos on John Barry's "Midnight Cowboy" and Breaux's mellow title song, while singer Audrey Wheeler joins Breaux for a vocal duet on a cover of Little Anthony & the Imperials' 1960s hit "Going Out of My Head." Though Breaux wasn't a bad singer, this track really belongs to Wheeler. Make no mistake: Laidback is a decent CD -- although it's a shame to hear Breaux simmering so much of the time when you know he was quite capable of burning. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
First heard Zack with Roy Ayers,"Live at Ronnie Scott's." Few can match Roy stroke for stroke when he's on. On that day Zack was right there!. Roy loved him. Gotta give Zack some more listening time. He was a star on the rise.
--Kaflycast
Picked up on this brother and love the smooth sound so I went on line and bought everything he recorded. It's too bad that he was taken so soon. I agree that his sound was formidable competition to others in the field. I'll be listening!
Something hauntingly pleasing about this sound. Zac gave it his all on everything he produced. Even how his life ended he gave his life saving another. He paid the total price. God bless him.
Benson? . . . Please! This gifted artist was in a class by himself! He was the real deal! If he hadn't been taken away from us so soon, he undoubtedly would've made a very large impact on the smooth jazz scene! Doc Powell, Ronnie Jordan, Norman Brown even Stanley Jordan are now without a very formidable player among their ranks! Zachary was well on his way!! Never heard of him . . . Mr. Maxx here needs to get out more as some things are better left unsaid!