Leon Ayers Jr. - Compilations
It's
the task of a reviewer to cast the light on albums which are unknown
whatever are the reasons. Leon Ayers Jr. 's album
"Compilations" deserves a review because of its well-rounded
fantastic mood.
Leon Ayers
Jr. is a master of keyboards as shown up on the introducing 2300
Commercial Suite. He has a good
feeling for perfect arrangements. Although this is a self-made one-man
album, the professionalism is undoubted.
The smart voice of
Connie O'Steen-Evans is the icing of the top on Whisper
Over The Rain.
The song presents a superb combination between piano and keyboards.
On Sleepless
Dreams Leon
reveals his mastership in slow gentle phrases. The lead melody is
performed on piano framed by strings and essences of keyboards.
Leon's piano play
on Bonnie In The
Forest is subtle
and captious.
More romantic mood
is audible on Sentiments
of Valencia.
Instead of a helter-skelter which is produced by many drum programming
one can hear Tom Rice's live percussion with bell-tree, triangle and
wood sticks. A tenor sax would nicely harmonize to this arrangement.
Miracle is
featuring anew Connie
O'Steen-Evans' warm vocals. Leon's performance, the arrangement, the
choice of instrumental accompaniment on keyboards, there is nothing to
criticize, just perfect.
Jhada
is a word of the Sanskrit. It's also the name for a fantasy figure and
a person of the Indian religion. Jhada is a secret, draped in the
nebula of time. Leon's musical interpretation is the nucleus of
this mystification.
Connie O'Steen-Evans
and Leon Ayers Jr. are anew the ideal combination on Never
Let Go. I also
know to appreciate the rhythm part.
You will not find Satahooville
on any street map
but only in the musical imagination of Leon Ayers, the wizard of keys.
The hip hop rhythm
background is recognizable on Queen
of Kings.
Although I like the keyboard sounds they hardly can replace a good
brass arrangement. Leon did the best out of it. Funky!
A little New Age
is to find on Tears
of the Wind. A
romantic piano melody accompanied by pizzicato tones.
Tom Rice and
Leon's collaboration find its summit on Mystery
Woman. A dark painted
brawl of
keys and rhythm.
Leon Ayers Jr. 's
album is highly recommendable. A must for all collectors of Smooth
Jazz.
