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Collections like this one
are always a good possibility to get a survey about new albums. If you
are searching smooth jazz music, they give you worthy hints to artists,
one may not know. Other fans buy collection albums to spare money. With
Smooth Jazz Awards Collection Vol. 2 the label Native Language
shows an exclusive taste. All tunes are outstanding and caracteristic
for the relating artists.
- Everette Harp featuring Brian Bromberg - Rock
With You
This extraordinary saxophonist known by albums
like Better Days, Everette Harp or Common Ground joins
the phenomenal lead bassist Bromberg to celebrate Michael
Jackson's hit Rock With You. In earlier times devoted to
straight ahead jazz they present a catchy smooth version of this popular song.
- Urban Knights - Dancing Angels
The title song of their third album is
represantative for the change of the musical style of this supergroup
with Ramsey Lewis, Kevin Randolph, Sharay Reed, Calvin Rodgers and
Stereo. The album is dedicated to the memory of Grover
Washington Jr., one of the original members of this group. The
tenor sax part is played by the incredible Dave Koz.
- Chuck Loeb - Right Down Broadway
This tune is from Chuck's album Listen.
Very dynamic and funky with a Phili brass arranged by David Mann
this title shows all about Chuck's skills.
Jeff is another great artist and producer
of this genre, who found after a long period of fusion jazz a new home
in smooth jazz. Known by albums like West Side Stories, State of
Grace, Midnight and Kickin' It this take is from his album Kickin' It
featuring the famous Gerald Albright. Excellent Jeff's
play on the Yamaha piano.
Typical Richard, called Mr. Chill, is an
agressive but non-offensive smooth style as shown on this tune from
his album Chill Factor.
- Peter White - Caravan Of Dreams
This is Peter 's song after his fan club
is called. A very atmospheric tune with a perfect arrangement, Peter's
dreamy acoustic guitar and Boney James' perfect sax accompany
will catch your heart.
- Jeff Kashiwa - Power of midnight
Jeff, in former times member of The
Rippingtons, joined with his solo album Another Door Opens
the Native Language label. Currently he is together with Chuck
Loeb and Jeff Lorber in the Hansa Haus in Bonn (Germany)
recording his new album. After Walk A Mile, Remember
Catalina and Another Door Opens this will be his fourth
solo album. Power of midnight is taken from his third one.
- Spyro Gyra - Westwood Moon
From their album Heart Of The Night (1996) we
can listen to the smooth sounds of Jay Beckenstein's sax.
Formerly known by their crossover contempoary jazz style the group is
now influenced by the smooth jazz style. In 2001 they made the new
album In Modern Times on the Heads Up label.
- Euge Groove - Sneak a Peek
Euge Groove aka Steve Grove formerly
a member of Tower Of Power replacing Richard Elliot had
a tremendous success at mp3.com with his unpolished tunes before the
producer Paul Brown refined them. After this mp3.com lost a
great star and Warner Brothers signed this gifted musician. Euge
is a nugget and I am sure we will listen to more great tunes in the
future.
This tune taken from her album Keeping Cool
is a magnificant hit showing up Joyce's latin flavored guitar
style. Cherished by many radiostations like JazzFM, WNUA
95.5 or KWJZ 98.9, which chose the song for their samplers Callie
paved her ongoing success.
- Shilts - There's No Wonder
Who knows the U.K. group Down To the Bones will
also know the saxplayer Paul Shilts Weimar, their bandleader. Paul
began backing many great American stars such as The Temptations,
Four Tops, Drifters and Rose Royce before he played with
David Bowie, Jimmy Paige and Bill Wyman. He was also member
of the Brand New Heavies. I describe his style as smooth acid
jazz.
Like Jeff Kashiwa a former member of the
Rippingtons the percussionist Steve Reid shared the stage
with musicians like Supertramp, Miles Davis and the Rolling Stones. Steve
is a maniac collector of instruments counting more than 600 his own.
The song Pillow Talk is taken from his album Dreamscapes (2001)
featuring Jeff Kashiwa as brilliant saxplayer.
© HBH
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