LINER NOTES: Somewhere along the line, singer Jack Wood believes a lot of romance has disappeared from music. But Wood, a familiar face on the Southern California jazz scene (as both booking agent and singer), isn't content to just sit around and bemoan that sad state of affairs. Instead, he offers a remedy, one that you luckily hold in your hands: "Baby, Baby, All the Time." An unpretentious gathering of 11 tunes that are guaranteed to warm even the colest heart. The music's origins are splendidly diverse, encompassing everything from Tin Pan Alley to West Coast Hip to The Beatles, but it all shares one simple trait: the "L" word, as in love, joyously bounds from every note. "I kind of feel like I'm on a quest," said the ebullient Wood of his first album. "I feel that so much of music today is anti-romantic. It's hyper. Or it's angry." Wood's smooth, clean voice certainly provides an antidote. He possesses a deep reverence for melody, while taking enough liberties to stir jazz listeners. His appeal becomes evident with the very first cut, the enduring Warren-Dubin gem, "I Only Have Eyes For You." Here's an unabashed love son gif there ever was one, and it's immediately obvious that Wood's taste in tunes is matched by his appreciation for topnotch accompaniment and arrangement. The tune's Latin-tinged sound came from the pen of keyboardist Rob Mullins, whose lyrical playing can also be heard on the tune. The rest of the arrangements are by bassist Luther Hughes, known for his work with David Benoit, Carmen McRae and Jack Jones. And the other musicians on board are equallity top-flight: drummer Jeff Hamilton (of Ray Brown's trio) and Doc Severinson guitarist Peter Woodford. Some of the numbers that Wood graces with his easy treatment are as familiar and comforting as a pair of cozy slippers, such as "Mona Lisa," the Nat King Cole anthem. But don't expect a straight Cole approach here. "Mona" gets spiced up a bit with some Brazilian rhythms. Wood pays tribute to the late, great Henry Mancini with a goose-bumpy rendition of the song the composer said was his favorite - the haunting, all-too-seldom performed "Two For The Road." Then there are the surprises. You may never have heard "Baby, Baby, All The Time," a song penned by West Coast jazz icon and all-around cool cat Bobby Troup. "I've been in love with that song since I was in high school," Wood said. "But I never knew who wrote it." He eventually found out and met up with Troup in Los Angeles, and the nifty ditty is one of the showpieces of the album. Add to the mix a very jazzy do-up of Lennon-McCartney's "You Can't Do That" and silky standards such as "Time After Time," and you begin to get the idea of what's going on here: an unfettered session featuring a neat singer, fine musicians and often provocative material. You don't need to know much more before aiming your laser at this disc. Just have the wine and corkscrew ready, and a significant other who wants to snuggle. Jack Wood will do the rest. And you just never know what might transpire. -- Steve Eddy, Jazz Critic, Orange County Register