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Eric
Darius' performance onstage is so energetic and constantly in
movement, that it's hard to take
a sharp picture of him. Always a high-class entertainer he is a real asset
to every concert, festival or party.
Even after a career of more than one decade nothing changed.
He came into game with Cruisin in 2000. Better known are his follow-ups Night On The Town (2004), Just Getting Started (2006), Going All Out (2008) and On A Mission (2010). Retro Forward, his second album for the label Shanachie Entertainment is scheduled for release on November 11, 2014.
Eric is supported by Superstar producers Tony Dixon (Babyface, Beyonce) and Bluetooth (Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks). More information about the participating musicians is currently not available. My suggestion: Buy the album and read the booklet.
The album immediately picks up speed with All Around the World. A piano in staccato mode sets the driving force for Darius' furious sax fireworks. Retro Forward comes with a heavy hand clapping beat presenting the saxophonist in Urban jazz style. Smokin! The cover of Barry White's mega hit Can't Get Enough of Your Love features Terry Drexler. This is a modern R&B interpretation. Soulful and to the point.
Back To You is characterized by a sophisticated horn section and a hard beating drummer accompanying Darius' striking performance. Broke Down brings sax and vocals together into an irresistible R&B song. The guitar at the end of the song cites the Michael Jackson song Billy Jean. Tony Dixon is not only a great producer but also a talented R&B singer. On What's Her Name he comes together with Eric for a heartfelt ballad. Never follows the same concept of melting vocals and sax presentation. The continuous rhythm is dominant.
Healin' offers a style mix of reggae, hip hop and 80s rock. Eric's Caribbean roots are illustrated by the Jamaican accent of the singer. Heaven Sent featuring vocalist Dessy Di Lauro sounds devilishly good like an old Motown song. Dessy creates her own sensation with Neo-Ragtime. Eric's preferred instrument is the alto saxophone. For the first time he plays the soprano sax on the cozy and soothing Forever Yours. This matches the lovely character of the theme. Final song is the mega crowd pleaser Happy, a cover of Pharrell Williams' triumph.
Eric Darius' Retro Forward is far more than just another
smooth jazz sax album. With
rousing musical ideas he breathes new life into this genre.
Buy the album
Title: Retro Forward
Album Information
Artist: Eric Darius
Year: 2014
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment
Tracks:
All Around the World
Retro Forward
Can't Get Enough of Your Love (feat. Terry Drexler)
Back To You
Broke Down
What's Her Name (feat. Eric Dawkins)
Never
Healin'
Heaven Sent(feat. Dessy Di Laura)
Forever Yours
Happy
Review:
On A Mission
Interview:
A conversation with Eric Darius