Smooth & contemporary jazz veteran Paul Brown has already won a Grammy Award twice. He has already worked with George Benson, Larry Carlton, Norman Brown, Boney James, Kirk Whalum, among others.
At the time, Paul agreed to produce contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler's ‘Tranquility’ album, and that led to a transformation. Now Brown has stepped back into the producer role for this new (and seventh) album, co-writing 7 original songs. This album will be released on February 3rd.
Paul Brown, a guitarist himself, suggested to Sabler that he played a vintage 1967 Gibson Johnny Smith guitar, and that reshaped his sound. Songwriters Shane Theriot (Hall & Oates, Dr. John, Neville Brothers) and Lew Laing (Norman Brown, Marion Meadows, Raheem DeVaughn) were brought in to create songs with jazz, R&B, funk and pop nuances.
Sabler said: “I'm at the top of my game, hitting my creative stride on the last album ('Tranquility'). 'Flying High' takes it to another level.” He also brought in Geoff Pesche as mastering engineer from the iconic Abbey Road studios (The Beatles).
The fun opener 'Over the Top' features flautist Greg Vail, followed by Eugene McDaniel's 'Compared to What', a track recorded by jazz pianist Les McCann and saxman Eddie Harris in 1969. 'Moonlight' once again builds on the collaboration between Sabler and keyboard player Lew Laing, and the title track is based on a drum groove by Gorden Campbell.
Sabler then pulls out his nylon string guitar for 'Old Friends', and I love that warm sound. 'New Bossa' is the new single, a nice track with a somewhat Latin touch. Michel Legrand's ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’ is a 1968 classic, and this hip-swaying Latin groove is performed by Sabler on his nylon-string guitar.
Another classic 'Summer in the City' follows, and this version is based on Quincy Jones's 1973. Greg Vail's sax backs him up. 'Soft & Smooth' also sounds nice, after which 'Double Jeopardy' is graced by Ron King's mutated trumpet. Finally, Sabler honors one of his influences, and that is guitar legend Kenny Burrell on 1971's "A Child Is Born."
Paul Brown produced and mixed everything in The Funky Joint studio. And the result may be good! Nice contemporary jazz!
Tracks:
Over The Top
Compared To What
Moonlight
Flying High
Old Friends
New Bossa
The Windmills Of Your Mind
Summer In The City
Soft & Smooth
Double Jeopardy
A Child is Born
Les Sabler
Copied with the permission of the author from culturmania.