Airborne - Heavy Vibes
I
recently wrote an article about Smooth Jazz for the German version of
the independent encyclopedia Wikipedia.
The group Airborne describes their music as "Smooth Jazz &
Vocals/Contemporary Jazz". After listening to their music I can
state, there is some Jazz. A member of the San Diego-based band
Fattburger once joked in an interview that these days anything without
words is called Jazz, unless it doesn't have drums -- then it's New
Age. So let's stop this endeavor to describe Smooth Jazz at this
point.
Nevertheless
Airborne has a hooking potential. Founded in the 80's the group has
survived the ups and downs of music business. Today they present an
album which let me sit up and take notice. Yes, they are really
professionals.
I have a special
affinity to rhythm. Airborne has a strong rhythm section with Dean
Kosh on drums and Asher Delerme
as percussionist. The dynamic
starter I See reminds me on the great
group "The Rippingtons" especially because the instrumentation
of both groups (saxophone, vocals, electric guitar,
drums, percussion) is comparable.
The length of
most tracks elucidates Airborne isn't tailored for smooth jazz radio
but is a live band. Their concert videos
appeared on BET , Public Broadcasting, and TV Cable Networks across
the USA. The band has been touring and performing at Jazz Festivals,
music venues, colleges, and nightclubs in the USA, Europe, and Japan
for many years now and since 1992. Trust
In Love is featuring the singer Elizabeth Dellinger. There is
no further information about her at Airborne's website, although she
has an impressing voice worth to investigate her biography.
Don't await under
the title Hip Hop Hip Hop music. The
group remains in the contemporary jazz area. Tom Samson has created a
great brass section. He is a multi-talented
musician playing sax ( tenor, alto, & soprano ) , flute and
piano.
Loves
Comes Back presents an awesome duet between Thomas Borino and
Elizabeth Dellinger. There is so much musical power in both voices.
The sound of
breakers is introducing to the next song Lizard
Island. Some Latin flavor is the perfect frame for Thomas
Borino fluent piano and Thomas Sansone's flute play.
A
Ray Of Hope is a further vocal song presenting anew the
wonderful Elisabeth Dellinger. Why so much vocal songs on a jazz album
is the upcoming question. The answer is given in an interview: "With
addition of our female singer and percussionist to the jazz band we
have crossed over to a newer market. With many more vocal tunes we
smooth it out." I especially love the end of this song with the
a-capella part.
But there is also
much instrumental music to find. For example the swinging After
The Storm. Anew a great opportunity for Thomas Borino to
showcase his excellent piano skills. When I mention a special artist
is that neglecting the group in total. There is so much to explore. An
expressive sign of the group is the humming vocal accompany to the
instrumental line.
Nicole
is some more Bossa Nova. The German band member Dean Kosh and the by
Afro-Brazilian music influenced percussionist Asher Delerme's develop
a firework of rhythm followed by Elizabeth Dellinger's sure-footed
scat. Sounds like the English group Shakatak.
You
Are Everywhere is best vocal performance. Who did the fine
arrangement especially for the chorus?
There is even
some funk on this album in Turn Me Around.
Most instrumental parts are smoothed out by strings. I must state
"strings everywhere". Nevertheless one can recognize more of
the music itself when the musicians start to improvise. It seems the
lead melodies are more important for the group.
To
Be Loved is a further love duet which is obviously a strength
of this group.
Final tune is Smooth
Ride. A laid back instrumental presenting all musicians in a
homogeneous formation. One after the another is going to the stage front
to say good-bye.
Excellent
musicianship on the whole album!
