Contemporary Pop From Bobby Caldwell

What is Bobby Caldwell’s album doing cruising the top level of the contemporary jazz charts? Beats me.

Both the strengths and the weaknesses that have characterized the singer-songwriter’s somewhat erratic two-decade career surfaced on Saturday at the Strand. Caldwell’s better moments recalled the ballad sounds of such pop figures as Michael McDonald, Sting and Boz Scaggs. Less successful were his well-intentioned but woefully misplaced efforts to mimic Frank Sinatra.

Either way, what he did had little to do with jazz.

More accurately, Caldwell’s music (however it’s identified) demonstrated that he has matured into a surprisingly sophisticated musical artist. A piece like his current hit, “Stuck on You,” managed to effectively reinterpret the classic American song form. Others--”Janet” and “Promised Land” were good examples--revealed his ability to find new vitality in contemporary pop styles.

Best of all, Caldwell was in perfect sync with his seven-piece group. Clearly unwilling to merely play the role of upfront vocalist with backup players, he worked in intimate contact with them.

Jazz? No. Good pop music? You bet.