Chris
Korblein
-
Love
Notes
German-born
guitarist Chris Korblein started his career in USA with his debut
album "Pacific Serenade" (1998), a smooth and romantic
album. His second album "When You're Not Here" with
guest-star June Kuramoto of the Grammy nominated band Hiroshima and
singer Robert Tepper (2002) found a great feedback.
Now Chris
teamed again with producer Derek Nakamato for his third album
"Love Notes" (2006). The album contains 12 new songs, from
which Chris has written 11 songs partly with Derek Nakamoto who plays
piano on most of the tracks. Compared to his previous releases Chris'
style is matured on this new album.
Usually 4 A.M. is a time nobody
wants to wake up. Chris sweetens the wake-up-call with a sensitive
bluesy melody. Echoed by Derek Nakamato on piano his guitar play is
full of emotions. I would compare his style with Mark Knopfler, the
sound of the guitar is very similar to Mark's Pensa-Suhr MK1.
Chris ' guitar
play has the noblesse of a professional experienced guitarist. He
really profits by Derek Nakamato as shown on Summerland.
Chris comments: "I love his work with Gerald Albright and Keiko
Matsui and he has such a genuine excitement for my vision and my ideas
that it truly was a great fit. Derek also helped me fine-tune my live
show as a musical director."
Boys'
Night Out is a good example to talk about the music genre
in which Chris Korblein wants to be recognized. With Ray Parker jr. on
rhythm and lead guitar, Steve Cole on sax and Alex Al on bass he has chosen
excellent representatives of smooth jazz. Chris states: “It has
always been a challenge for me and many other contemporary
instrumental artists to define the style of music we’re playing,”.
“In some markets they call it Jazz, in some markets ‘world
music’ and in some markets it’s ‘Smooth Jazz’. The truth is,
it’s none of the above or all of the above. As long they call it
something that makes other people want to listen, I’m perfectly fine
with these definitions. Otherwise I would simply invite you to take a
listen and hear for yourself”. Boys' Night Out is also the first
single of the album.
Chris explains:
"I have been writing songs with and without words since these
early days. And – honestly - I think that I always had a good sense
about what is good enough to be recorded and what is better off to be
shelved or tossed. So I never did record these early musings and
it’s probably better that way." Chris, that's the way I like
it. If you ever doubt in breadth and diversity of Chris' writer's
talent, For A Lover lets mute
every skeptic. What an awesome melody, it could become a
classic!
Night Vision is of the same
caliber. I like the carefulness with which Chris chooses every tone of
his melody.
Since You're No Longer Mine is the
only vocal song featuring Lori Jenaire. It is her voice we hear as the
featured vocalist on Stanley Clark's soundtrack for the movie “Funny
Valentines” starring Alfred Woodard and Loretta Divine.
Chris has a
special affinity for slow ballades as Dreamless.
By the way Chris uses real strings for his album: Charlie Bisharat
(violin), Darrin McCann (viola) and Larry Corbet (cello). This song is
a mixture of Pop and classic elements and arrangements.
I Can’t Make You Love Me
is a cover of composer Michael Reid, already interpreted by George
Michael, Freddie Cole, Will Downing, Patti LaBelle and more popular
singers. If you don't believe that a guitar can sing sweeter, listen.
One can feel the love with which the
ballades are arranged. Stay is
no exception. Although rather short the song isn't loaded with
fillers. And when the B3 is humming in the background the mood is
stunning.
Catalina
is famous by its annual jazz festival which features top smooth jazz
artists over three weekends in October. A sentimental homage to this
legendary venue.
With Homebound
Chris creates a further
romantic ballade. Obviously Chris loves the smooth
interpretation of guitar play which is a comfortable way to
realize his acoustic dreams.
Lullaby
is finishing a melodious and emotional album, Chris accompanies on
guitar Derek Nakamato's
sensitive piano interpretation.
Chris Korblein's new album
"Love Notes" is full of creative tenderness. For those
understanding guitar music as a sensual message this album is a must.
