It's
been some time since I introduced Smooth Jazz to the
UK and since then the jazz/funk/RnB fusion genre has
tended to become in some instances so watered down for
US radio consumption that some commentators have been
known to call it 'Elevator' music!
All is not lost
however, as this newish release from HAY has all the
ingredients that first appealed to me. This
multi-instrumentalist music professor out of
Washington State University who has played with
amongst others The Temptations and Norman Brown brings
together some really funky grooves in this his debut
release. Best of all though for me it features two
great soulful vocalists who are not as prominent as
they should be on some original tunes. First up is
Johnny Kemp who had a reasonable hit in the 80's with
Kashif's 'Just Another Lover' and is now well immersed
in session singing. His rendition of the catchy two
steppin' 'Heart Desire' is an album highlight as is
the inclusion of ex Tower of Power lead vocalist Brent
Carter.
If you want an example of how to really sing soul
just find Brent singing with Tower of Power on the
classic ballad 'Willing to Learn' on You Tube. Here he
makes his mark on the upbeat 'That Kind of Girl' with
a powerful sax break by HAY himself. Other tracks of
note include the hip happening rap chant led 'Let's
Lounge' - just try and get the chorus out of your
head! and the gospelish 'Glory to his name' with great
acoustic piano.
The inclusion of the traditional 'Danny Boy' is a
bit of a downer as is for me the cover version of
Luther's 'Dance with my Father' which though
sincere is lyricless and is left somewhat bereft
because of it. Overall,though this is an album which
shows that all is not lost with the smooth jazz genre
and is well worth checking out for the groove and
soulful bits!!
