ALBUM: "Certified Organic"

Pete Levin's credentials and resume are a given, but in case you live in a cave: Miles, Gil Evans, John Scofield, Jimmy Giuffre, Annie Lennox, Paul Simon.

Need we say more?

Last year's organ centric "Deacon Blues" was a smashing success, so this follows with good reason.

Recorded in Woodstock by Levin and Roman Klun, this time Levin leaves boundaries behind and pushes expectations aside.

As can be expected, a star-studded cast accompanies him: Mike DiMicco, Joe Beck, Jesse Gress, John Cariddi, Erik Lawrence and Harvey Sorgen.

"I'm Falling" opens with a deep funky groove provided by the amazing Sorgen, who is really the secret weapon of this CD.

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Levin's thick juicy tone is to die for, as are his undeniable chops. "Nana" has a clever melody line which is expanded upon and exploited in the solo sections. Cole Porter's "Love For Sale" gets a fine reading, as does Jaco Pastorious' "Teen Town," a complex workout that keeps you on the edge of your seat (as Gress and Lawrence fly).

But it's his own tunes that offer real insight: "The Face In the Mirror," "When I Was Young" (featuring a brilliant solo by DiMicco) and the aforementioned "I'm Falling" are weighty and confident compositions. Real musicians playing real music, what could be better?

Levin plays at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Rosendale Café on Main Street.

1. "I'm Falling" 2. "Nana" 3. "Love for Sale" 4. "Patience" 5. "Teen Town" 6. "Where Flamingo's Fly" 7. "Out of Darkness" 8. "When I Was Young" 9. "The Question of U" 10. "The Face in the Mirror"

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