Shakatak
- Blue Savannah
The
sound of Shakatak is unmistakable and unique. Since more than 23 years
their music is electrifying generations of listeners. The group is a
legend and institution. A trademark for professional music quality
they never lost the interest of audience. Their new album "Blue
Savannah" is a typical Shaks' album but also contemporary.
The album starts with Summer
Of Love. This song is seamlessly
following their great songs of the past like "Down
On The Street" or "Mr. Manic & Sister Cool". The song
is positive and uplifting ("Coming out of dark days into
light"). Jill Saward's voice is unchanged charming and the beat
goes on.
Bill Sharpe wrote the celestial Blue
Savannah. Bill has a passion for Brazilian music. We already
could admire his project "Espirito". The title song has a
nice propulsive Bossa Nova rhythm which reminds me of the carnival of
Salvador de Bahia and the keyboards chords are phenomenal. Especially
remarkable is Phil Todd's performance on flute and Bill's keyboards running.
Tortola is a beautiful Caribbean
Island. Tortola Sunset is the right tune
to set you in the relaxing Island mood.
Jill Saward sings about the love
to an unknown lover, a Shadow. Fridrik
Karlsson, member of Mezzoforte, adds some awesome guitar chords.
The sparkling diamond Jill Saward
performs Walking On Starlight, a love
song with a tense dance floor disco atmosphere.
Blue Horizon
is featuring the saxophonist Phil Todd on soprano sax. The tune is
accessible and showcases the smooth jazz tradition of the group. The
arrangement especially of the percussion part is impressing.
Come To Me
has the summery vibe which James Lewis has already perfectly described
in his review. It's surprising that the Shaks can copy their style so
often without boring their audience.
Someone I
Could Love is a mellow ballade performed by the golden Jill
Saward. The song was written by Roger Odell, Shakatak's drummer and organization
genius.
Music In The
Air is a shuffling tune somehow in the nu jazz scene but call
back by Jill's refrains to smooth jazz. A conceptual start into contemporary
music.
Jill Saward is well-known for her
duets with mal singers. Many of you will remember her duet with Al Jarreau
("Day By Day"). Her partner on Fool In
Love is Leee John, better
known as the lead singer and frontman of the group
"Imagination".
More Latin in the mix on Sunset
Street. George Anderson's bass is speaking Brazilian. Bill's
masterly work on keyboards is a special phenomenon you better listen
to.
Guitar player Fridrik Karlsson
shows on Seattle Express, that he would
be a good additional member of the Shaks. Together with Bill Sharpe,
George Anderson and Roger Odell the sound kicks to a Latin explosion. Exceptional!
Fans of Shakatak already revel in
their music. To the others: Experience the freshness of their sound!