Nils - Pacific
Coast Highway
In
my review about Stephan Oberhoff's album "Conversations" I
already mentioned some German musicians immigrating to America to find
their success in music business. Nils lives in Southern California
since the 80's and has worked with George Benson, The Temptations, Rick Braun, Gabriella Anders,
Gerald McCauley, Norman Connors, Marcus Johnson and a lot more notable
artists. So it's quiet unusual that he didn't start his debut album a
bit earlier. Citing George Benson's guitarist Michael O'Neill I would
comment: "It's never too late!" Nils' new release obviously
has found a great audience. Canada's smooth jazz magazine Jazz
Lynx has even dedicated its title story of April to Nils' album.
This week the album is standing at #10 at Radio & Records' smooth
jazz chart. That means a lot of smooth jazz radio stations are burning
out this album on their turntables.
The title song Pacific
Coast Highway is captivating, a real earwig. A strong guitar
melody backed by strings on a hard propulsive beat, we have often
heard these ingredients but never get enough.
Back Pocket
offers a strong synth bass line on which Nils develops his
addicted-to-music- guitar licks. Slim Williams' keyboard solo is too
short, but improvising is not the intention of this entertaining
piece.
Georgy Porgy
is a cover song written by David Paich, a member of the group Toto. A
classic dance mix renewed by Nils' magic guitar.
A romantic slowtempo cruise takes
off with Coming Home. Mood is his
flagship.
You've Got A
Friend is the second cover on this veritable album. This piece
was written by Carol King for the album "Now That Everything Is
Said" and performed with her group "The City" (1968). Popularized was
the song by versions of "James Taylor", "Blood, Sweat
and Tears" or "The Byrds".
On Cruisin'
Paul Jackson jr., Rob Mullins, Abe Loriel,
Alex Acuna and Ronnie Foster are performing among others. The song is elegant and
fashionable,
designed for smooth jazz radio.
Played with ease Sneakin'
is smoothly scrolling into my auditory canals.
Kathryn Bostic has an ultra-sexy voice.
Nils' guitar sound is unbeatable
flattering when he is turning on the reverb on Summer
Nights.
Hey Ya
is one of Nils' songs transformed to his guitar. I get this impression
because Kathryn Bostic is humming this "Hey Ya" along Nil's
performance. A very popular combination of guitars and vocals often
presented on this intriguing album.
Keep Rollin'
is a co-production of Nils and Gerald McCauley who is playing
keyboards and synths on this groovy tune. Don't miss his albums
"McCauley Sessions". Gerald Albright is playing sax and
flute without outjumping the melody.
Nils' Kona
Girl showcases his sensibilty in performing his acoustic
guitar. By the way Kona is a district in Hawaii should you ever go
there.
Latin flavored
Baja California is the final seduction and promise: Let's meet
us under the Californian sun.
Nils' album Pacific Coast Highway
sums up all good sides of smooth jazz.
