Just Doing Me is the central message and title of Marion Meadows' new album, released this week on Shanachie Entertainment. For Marion, authenticity and originality are the building blocks of his success and legacy. Depending on the musical influences of the musicians involved, this endeavor may also be in conflict, but isn't music always in flux and subject to the changes of time?

Marion is a Renaissance man in the artistic sense. He confidently sees himself as an artist, as a creator, as the master of the arts. He is an excellent photographer, a blessed painter and designer. However, music is at the center of his life. Drawing on his social relationships with the large pool of genius, he has once again invited a enormous number of musicians, composers and producers, as shown in the credits.

On the opening Say What, Marion's lyrical sax playing combines in an ideal way with Chris Davis' elegance on the keys. Solo parts merge seamlessly with sax chords in a constant stream, embedded in Chris' keyboard waves. This impeccable flow is also a prominent feature of the following track Pleasures Of You.

Going Back Home builds on numerous echo elements that are underpinned by drum programming. This principle is refined on the title track. Adam Armijo adds a special touch on the electric guitar. AI Moonrise is enlivened by an African rhythm that reminds me of the well-known song Lolo. Saxophone and voices are being lost in the moonlight.

Do you like some R&B flavor? Then you will certainly dig Only You, a cover of the debut single by R&B group 112, from their 1996 self-titled debut album. The rendition features the Gaines Brothers. Marion comments: “They co-produced a version of ‘Only You,’ that is a very technical piece, and it came out incredible. It’s a great pleasure to be able to work with these young up-and-coming musicians.”

On the affectionate song Scarlet, Marion shows the full range of his soulful romanticism. His magical presence is undeniable. Stomping beat, straight forward arrangement, hooking melody. With I Got You we arrived at Paul Brown's Funky Joint. Black Cat sounds mysterious and full of secrets. This atmospheric tune features Rueben Brock on muted trumpet in perfect harmony with Marion's soprano sax.

Velvet, which conveys the impression of something soft and mellow, is the appropriate title for this slowly gliding melody in which Marion makes gentleness the yardstick of his saxophone. Julian Davis fits into this mild mood superbly with his harmonica. Kool Days concludes with summery, gentle sounds served on a trendy beat.

On Just Doing Me you can experience pure Marion Meadows. The best that the smooth jazz genre has to offer in this area with exquisite producers and musicians.

 

 

 

 

Biography

Website

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Album Information

Title: Just Doing Me
Artist: Marion Meadows
Year: 2024
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Label: Shanachie Entertainment

Tracks:

1) "Say What" (3:52)
2) "Pleasures Of You" (4:07)
3) "Going Back Home" (2:42)
4) "Just Doing Me" (2:53)
5) "AI Moonrise" (3:14)
6) "Only You" (5:00)
7) "Scarlet" (3:14)
8) "I Got You" (4:16)
9) "Black Cat" (3:30)
10) "Velvet" (4:10)
11) "Kool Days" (3:57)

Credits:

1. SAY WHAT

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis –
Chris Davis Sounds, BMI)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis – Keyboards ,Bass, Programming and Percussion
Sivad Sirhc – Trumpet
Produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis for Big Dog Productions and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis and Marion Meadows.

2. PLEASURES OF YOU

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis –
Chris Davis Sounds, BMI)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis – Keyboards, Programming and Percussion
Produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis for Big Dog Productions and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis and Marion Meadows.

3. GOING BACK HOME

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Rahni Song – Omni Three
Music, BMI)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Rahni Song – Keyboards, Programming and Percussion
Produced by Rahni Song for August Child Productions and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Rahni Song and Marion Meadows.

4. JUST DOING ME

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI /Wirlie Morris –
Nephew Wirlie Music, ASCAP)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Wirlie Morris – Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Drum Programming and
Percussion
Adam Armijo – Guitar
Produced by Wirlie Morris for WirlWide Entertainment and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Wirlie Morris and Marion Meadows.

5. AI MOONRISE

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Wirlie Morris –
Nephew Wirlie Music, ASCAP)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Wirlie Morris – Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Drum Programming and
Percussion
Maria Meadows – Vocals
Produced by Wirlie Morris for WirlWide Entertainment and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Wirlie Morris and Marion Meadows.

6. ONLY YOU Featuring The Gaines Brothers

(Harry Wayne Casey, Sean Puffy Combs, Rick Finch, Daron Tavaris
Jones, Steven A. Jordan, Michael Marcel Keith, Quinnes Daymond
Parker, DeWayne J. Rogers, Marvin Scandrick, Christopher Wallace
/EMI Longitude Music, BMI)
Marion Meadows – Soprano & Tenor Sax
Lamar Gaines – Keys and Programming
Will Gaines – Lead Bass
Mel Brown – Bass
Isaiah Grissum – Guitar
J–Rod Sullivan – Drums
Produced by The Gaines Brothers for Gaines Brothers Productions and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Lamar Gaines and Marion Meadows.

7. SCARLET

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Rahni Song – Omni Three
Music, BMI)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Rahni Song – Keyboards, Programming and Percussion
Brian Keane – Guitar
Produced by Rahni Song for August Child Productions and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Rahni Song and Marion Meadows.

8. I GOT YOU

(Shane Theriot – Shane Theriot Music, ASCAP/Marion Meadows –
Sunsight Music, BMI/Paul Brown – Yo Cats Music, BMI)
Marion Meadows – Soprano & Tenor Sax
Shane Theriot– Guitars, Bass, Programming
Paul Brown – Percussion
Produced and Mixed by Paul Brown and Shane Theriot at the Funky
Joint and Marion Meadows ENT Productions.

9. BLACK CAT

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Rueben Brock –
Brock Publishing ASCAP)
Rueben Brock – Trumpet, Keys and Programming
Marion Meadows – Soprano & Tenor Sax
Curtis McCain – Percussion
Produced and Mixed by Marion Meadows ENT Productions and
Rueben Brock.

10. VELVET

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI/Rahni Song – Omni Three
Music, BMI)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Rahni Song – Keyboards, Programming and Percussion
Julian Davis – Harmonica
Will Brock – Additional Keys
Produced by Rahni Song for August Child Productions and Marion
Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Rahni Song and Marion Meadows.

11. KOOL DAYS

(Marion Meadows – Sunsight Music, BMI /Wirlie Morris –
Nephew Wirlie Music, ASCAP)
All Saxophones by Marion Meadows
Wirlie Morris – Keyboards, Bass and Drum Programming
Will Taylor – Guitar
Produced by Wirlie Morris for WirlWide Entertainment and
Marion Meadows ENT Productions.
Recorded and Mixed by Wirlie Morris and Marion Meadows.

 

Further reviews:


Dressed To Chill

Secrets

Player's Club

Whisper

Soul Traveler

Soul City

Twice As Nice