Stephen Foglia/SPF is an independent musical gem out of San Jose, California. “Island in the Sound” was his debut CD, ”Another Conversation With Myself” was his second, and finally SPF/III is here. It is a warm technically brilliant marriage of Jazz, Rock, Latin and Funk styles. This CD runs the gamut with elaborate orchestral textures such as 5-part vocals, an 8-piece horn section, a 7-piece rhythm section to solo guitar & piano arrangements, a must for any jazz connoisseur’s library. Stephen is as talented of a composer as he is a producer, arranger, guitarist, pianist, vocalist and bass player. His vocals and vocal harmonies are a warm encounter reminiscent of Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, inserted into the songs seemingly as another instrument spinning lyrics of life experience and west coast imagery. Influences of Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour and Pat Metheny can be found in his guitar style, and his piano chops share many stylistic and technical aspects of some of the great jazz masters including McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. Gary Taylor/ Management & Consulting; Coquitlam, BC, Canada SPF - Island in the Sound Review by Les Wiseman I was sitting around at a music industry barbecue. It was a sunny day and musicians, studio owners, engineers and producers were eating antipasto and sipping wine. Tunes were soaring through the cloudless sky. When the guest of honor's new CD had been played, someone put on another disk. Toes started tapping, heads bobbing, people settled back with satisfied sighs, the music perfectly sound tracked the relaxed easy afternoon. Then the rumblings began. "Who is this?" "This is great" "Great vocals." "Terrific arrangements." "Is this some new Steely Dan album?" You could see engineers staring at the speakers, listening to the production. "Who is this?" It was revealed that the artist's name was Stephen Foglia AKA SPF and that the album was called Island in the Sound, an independent release from San Jose, California. Foglia produced, arranged and orchestrated the album as well as playing guitar, piano and synthesizers, plus handling lead vocals and harmonies. Call it jazz-pop fusion: full trumpet, saxophone and trombone sections swelling with drama, overlain with rippling full-throated guitar and piano. What distinguishes Foglia's arrangements is his taste or tastiness. Six of the tunes are instrumentals that range from contemporary swing like an updated Count Basie through compositions that switch tempos and allow the musicians to wail a little bit, not unlike Frank Zappa at his most restrained (The Grand Wazoo, Waka Jawaka). On Living on the Western Side, Foglia lets loose with a blistering guitar solo that will have guitarheads salaaming at his feet. Stephen Foglia: He offers new hope for the adult-contemporary and jazz markets. He deals in new spins on traditional values such as coherent orchestral compositions and good taste. Les Wiseman - CANADA WIDE MAGAZINES - September 1999.