Stephan Oberhoff - Conversations With My
Father
Do
you know that many smooth jazz artists, performing in America,
were born in Germany? For example Praful, Michelle Walker, Peter Storn,
Nils, Dirk K, William Ackerman and Stephan Oberhoff. Besides this hereditary
aspect it's quiet astonishing with which great artists Stephan
Oberhoff has already played: Dave Koz, Brenda Russell, Burt Bacharach,
Sheila E., Jeffrey Osborne, Joe Vanelli, Michael White, Rayford
Griffin, Vinnie Colaiuta, David Benoit, Ricky Lawson, Everette Harp,
Ray Fuller, Jimmy Haslip .. I stop here, because you don't want to
read a "Who Is Who" or?
Stephan Oberhoff's debut album
"Conversations With My Father" was released in 2003. Somehow
the album didn't reach the charts which makes it a bit more difficult
to find. Reviewing Brenda Russell's albums "Paris
Rain" and "Between The Sun And The Moon" I recognized
his name as player, arranger etc. After listening his solo album I can
state: "A well-hidden treasury!"
SmoothJazz With
A Sharp Stick is the title of the first song and certainly the
concentrated headline of this magnificent album. In knowledge of the
experience that the first notes can decide about the decision of a
listener to buy an album or not Stephan presents us an uptempo tune
tight packed with instrumental ideas and influences. There is a prize
of Weather Report and the great American cjazz history seems to
culminate in one tune. Stephan's piano (keyboards, organ) mastery is
breathtaking and fascinating. Wow!!
The gospel-like
tune Now That You Have Found Me
features Terry Bradshaw's grandiose vocals and Gerald Spikes smooth
sax. Terry Bradshaw teams up to the choir with Kimaya Seward and
Stephan. Refreshing unusual is the classical bridge performed by
Stefanie Fife on Cello. She really plays the Cello like "Casals".
James Harrah's acoustic guitar is
sentimentally leading into Conversations With My
Father. A moody duet of James and Stephan around a melodious
theme. James Harrah is known by his work with Luis Conte, Barry
Manilow, Brenda Russell, Dave Stringer, Gregg Karukas, Tracie Spencer
and a lot more.
Amistad features
Pedro Eustache's inimitable flute play. A fantastic song with Spanish
and Oriental flavor. The song is running into various directions. A
bit of epic movie score, some Latin flamenco, some romantic mood. Very
expressive Melissa Hasin on Cello. Stephan called her as "cello-goddess"!
She also performed the solo-cello in one of the Lion King orchestras.
Venezuela
was written on the day of the disastrous flooding in Venezuela which occurred
coincidentally the day Stephan wrote the piece. Pat Metheny
goes Flamenco, jungle percussion, fusion jazz and Gary Meek's sax are
crescending to a typical Oberhoff-song.
Soul Falling
is presenting Scot Mayo on soprano saxophone. A well-written and
arranged tune with a captivating mood.
Trumpet lovers will like the funky Unexpected
Move featuring Dennis Farious' muted trumpet. Paul Jackson
jr. 's electric guitar is also appearing on this tune. Paul is the
most-demanded sideman nowadays.
Stephan also plays guitar as one can
state listening to Just When. Dreamlike
how safely he finds the right notes for his compositions. He sets
Dennis Farious in the best limelight again. A smooth and silky night
song.
On Talking To The
Mirror
Jimmy Haslip's
acoustic bass boosts dark and
mighty. I especially like the Latin percussion/bass combination,
Pedro Eustache's spell bounding flute, Gary Meek's sultry sax. The
tune is perfect as a diamond of the first water.
Bird Speak
is Stephan's excursion into his keyboards and synthesizer park. Mike
Miller's electric guitar solo supported by Tom Brechtlein's
outstanding drums is on a wild fusion ride.
Broken Wings
is dedicated to Stephan's father Karl-Bernd Oberhoff. Stephan sings
this tune with great emotion.
On Jammin
With James James Harrah and Stephan Oberhoff create a final
acoustic highlight.
Stephan Oberhoff's debut album
"Conversations With My Father" makes addicted. The fact that
this album was already made in 2003 let me hope that we will soon have
a follow-up. Stephan, don't let us wait too long!
