Features Sara Evans, Gerald Levert, Marc Antoine, and Geoff Byrd.Escape, the 12th studio recording from pianist Jim Brickman, comes from a new label (SLG Records instead of Windham Hill) but follows a familiar formula, mixing instrumentals (nine of them) with radio-oriented vocal selections (three) in an effort to snare the largest possible audience and keep all camps in his fan base happy. The result is an easy-to-digest, easy-to-like disc that, in general, should make fans of Brickman's piano-only works content. While not as deeply evocative as his earliest releases, Escape features some lovely instrumentals ("Waterfall," "Awakening," "Big Sky," "First Light," and "Timeless") that will remind longtime fans of what attracted them to Brickman in the first place. And two of the vocal tracks--"Never Alone," sung by country artist Sara Evans, and the cheery "When It Snows," handled by under-the-radar vocalist Geoff Byrd--are as engaging as any pop selections Brickman has previously recorded. The generic title track, a bit of samba-lite with guitarist Marc Antoine, falls flat, and a few tracks would be better off without the swelling cymbal crashes. Overall, though, Escape is exactly that--pleasant, uncomplicated, escapist listening. --Terry Wood
