I listen to JazzTrax from the official website frequently. I'm a fan because Art plays a lot of album tracks both new and old. He also shares some good stories.
You're right, his mic pops and gets distorted. Not a big deal for me.
He said the same thing about the last Boney James album-- not his best. I agree. Like most of us contemporary jazz fans, Art recognizes that Boney is no longer trying to be creative. Boney's recent discs are nothing more than elevator music sounding watered down covers.