  Konstantin
Klashtorni was performing strongly in the contemporary
jazz scene. What brought the turn around to smooth jazz?
Konstantin explains: “ My tastes have changed with time,
although first saxophonists records I ever heard were
David Sanborn and Eric Marienthal, and only after that I
went studying Cannonball Adderley and Charlie Parker.
However I always liked that light jazz, in the style of Spyro Gyra and Mezzoforte. The reason I changed the direction was because I moved to Europe, where Chill out, Electronica and Lounge are much more heard then Smooth Jazz. I liked it so much, that I started to use this very elements in my music too in order to not to compete with Americans playing straight Smooth Jazz (it's their music, and they do it FENOMENAL) and to enrich this genre, maybe to give this genre another direction, who knows? I believe I managed in some way to do that. I noticed that many musicians are making music for people as if those all were musicians too, I try to make music for normal people well within SJ genre.″ Klashtorni released in 2011 his second album of the Smooth Jazz series. This time he was joined by Wolf Martini on guitars. The second album of the Smooth Jazz series has a perfect start with Together Again. From zero to hundred it creates a good mood. Sax and guitar pair flawlessly. You Make Me Smile raises the game to the next level with a big dose of sax in all variations. Certainly not a elusive harmonic chameleon but the principle works. Forever In Love gives the sax a better chance with fine nuances and the fine carillon effect in the interplay with the acoustic guitar grants the whole a certain sweetness. Nice and Easy continues this mellow and saxy loveliness which is accompanied with fine percussion elements. Konstantin drives the Shuffle Beat to perfection on Pure, a more up-tempo tune, which, however, in the phraseology of the saxophone remains one-sided. Compared to the performance of Gerald Albright Konstantin could certainly expand his play. He has all the right stuff and time. Lay It Down shows, in which direction Konstantin drives his musical train. Arrangement, songwriting and instrumental mastery are top-notch. Let's Fall In Love clarifies, that he builts his reputation as a master showman on the saxophone, which is very dominant on this album. Hookin' Up has a funky start, the rest is essential smooth jazz. Lovely Day isn't a cover of Bill Withers' huge hit but Konstantin's own alternative creation. The melody is catchy and has a radio-like groove. Make Room For Me presents different saxophones like soprano and tenor in answer and question. Fine keyboard sounds reinforce the positive overall impression. Love Never Get's Old is recommended for celebrations such as birthdays, golden wedding and more. Melody is the cornerstone of the festivity. Melody also reigns Ready For Love. A tune arranged with tenderness. With Smooth Jazz II Konstantin Klashtorni delivers again a solid album at the heart of honeyed harmonies and massively accessible for his constantly growing followers.
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