02 Oct
Soft Spoken by Darron McKinney
Thursday, 02 October 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Detroit, Michigan, native Darron McKinney is not only a sheriff in Wayne County, but an assistant minister of music at Greater St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church and a t…
30 Sep
Changing Directions by Robb Hunter Jr.
Tuesday, 30 September 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Changing Directions, Robb Hunter Jr.’s debut release is a valiant but heavily flawed effort. Hunter, a pianist and drummer, wrote and produced the entire album himself. He …
29 Sep
This Is Who I Am by Martin Mayer
Monday, 29 September 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
First, I have a confession to make: I am definitely not a fan of "smooth jazz". I’ve always leaned more towards John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk than Kenny G and John Tesh…
Verging on smooth jazz territory but with a take-no-prisoners attitude that elevates it above the usual fluffy and unobtrusive fare the genre typifies, Reiff Jr delivers
Larry Nozero has been a major figure on the Detroit jazz scene for 40 years, capable of many styles, including the mellow, almost light-jazz quality of the disc at hand. Th…
07 Sep
A Womans Love by Vaneese Thomas
Sunday, 07 September 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Vaneese Thomas claims an R & B and Soul pedigree that is worthy of any singer. Rufus Thomas of Stax is her dad, and her sister soul-legend Carla Thomas. Her voice shows evi…
Keiko Matsui is known as one of the most fascinating pianists in contemporary/new age music. Her ability to merge American music with traditional Asian influences ha…
20 Aug
Along The Way by Brian Hughes
Wednesday, 20 August 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
I find it hard to know how to approach this kind of recording. It falls under the category of smooth jazz - the kind of fodder that many so-called jazz radio stations featu…
Just as the title Cool Breeze implies, this is a CD full of very breezy, easy on the ears music. There isn’t any youthful angst, bluesy brooding over a lost love or …
06 Aug
Back On Track by Dennis "Finger Roll" Nelson
Wednesday, 06 August 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Every once in a while a hot CD catches the attention of DJs across the country. Back On Track is one that did, even before its official release in October.Finger…
Seven fresh, talented artists provide a rounded combination of instrumentals and vocals, creating an interesting, very listenable CD-- A splendid variety of soulful ballads…
For a relaxing trip down a smooth jazz lane, give a listen to the fine musicians on FINGERPRINTS, performed by the group Fingerprints. Enjoyable solo work abounds, and the …
Rodney Taylor’s "Blow By Blow," is a refreshing new sound to the jazz scene. I found this CD to be nice and soulful. There were a couple of tracks that I couldn’t stop repe…
30 Jul
Just Come On In by Nick Colionne
Wednesday, 30 July 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
There are many guitarists that use Wes Montgomery as their influence for coming into the music business. Chicago guitarist Nick Colionne is one that has brought Montgomery'…
Throughout his career, I have always enjoyed keyboardist Alex Bugnon. He has always shown me a different side of smooth jazz that can only be his style. His newest CD So…
If you want to relive a part of the 70's that was more in the background, but was always there, get guitarist Chris Standring's new CD Groovalicious. The songs that …
25 Jul
Right Here, Right Now by David Benoit
Friday, 25 July 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Keyboardist/Composer/Producer David Benoit continues his latest string of groovin' releases with Right Here, Right Now. For the past few CD's, Benoit has used fellow…
Canadian artist Nura could be the next sensation on the contemporary jazz and adult listening charts once people hear her self-titled release on Start Music Productions. If…
13 Jun
Smooth Africa II - Exploring The Soul by Various Artists
Friday, 13 June 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Here is a unique 12-track compilation from Heads UpInternational. This compilationintroduces us to many artists from South Africa. Dave Love, President of Heads Up, brings …
One of the most enduring and recognizable bands in the annals of smooth jazz anthology are The Rippingtons. Founded in 1987 by Russ Freeman, this phenomenal g…
Smooth jazz has been somewhat of an enigma over the last 15 years, as well as the poster child for a number of negative comments. It reigns supreme as a style of music clon…
Pop.... uh, I mean, jazz quiz: what might one get if they could combine smooth/mellow fusion with a jam band, adding a generous dollop of drum & bass/jungle-style electroni…
Detroit area saxophonist-keyboardist Edgar Wallace Jr. brings the Motown influence to smooth jazz with his debut CD On the Beach. Wallace shows not only his instrume…
For a man who has traveled almost around the world, the saxophonist simply know as Igor is one of the brightest smooth jazz talents around. After learning the saxophone as …
According to Mark Ruffin of Chicago Magazine/Amazon.com: "Performing solo piano has been compared to tightrope walking without a net and swimming in…
06 May
Still Small Voice by Paul Jackson Jr.
Tuesday, 06 May 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. continues to make inroads in his solo career after working for years with some of the best performers in contemporary music today. His second CD …
03 May
Simple Pleasures by Ramsey Lewis Trio and Nancy Wilson
Saturday, 03 May 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Living legend Nancy Wilson teems up with Ramsey Lewis and his Trio, creating a soul filled compilation of legendary classics on SIMPLE PLEASURES.SIMPLE PLEASUR…
Making a path up and down the jazz scene nowadays continues to be a hit or miss proposition. With limited airplay available, coupled with fewer and fewer opportunities to h…
20 Apr
Melody With Harmony by Monika Herzig
Sunday, 20 April 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Yardbird Suite is the piece de resistance of this recording. An energetic trumpet solo by Pat Harbison is followed by Monika Herzig's inspired pianistic message. Gentle but…
15 Apr
Vintage Chill - Volume 2. Summer by Vintage Chill
Tuesday, 15 April 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Every once in a while, you come across a disc that just leaves you breathless. The mood is eccentric, but pulls you in. A disc that you actually find yourself saying that y…
12 Apr
The Very Best of Marc Antoine by Marc Antoine
Saturday, 12 April 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
For those who have never caught the Flamenco flavored sounds of guitarist Marc Antoine, now's your chance to hear his best. GRP has released Antoine's first best of CD call…
I consider Russ Freeman one of the most versatile smooth jazz performers today. He is a producer, writer, guitarist and keyboardist. He has a passion for whatever he does. …
28 Mar
Radio Contact by Acoustic Alchemy
Friday, 28 March 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
The guitar duo of Acoustic Alchemy has returned to their acoustic roots with Radio Contact. After coming out with a release that earned Greg Carmichael and Miles Gil…
After years of working with keyboardist/producer Brian Culbertson, saxophonist Steve Cole is blossoming into one of the most vibrant stars of smooth jazz. His first release…
20 Mar
Simple Pleasures by Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson
Thursday, 20 March 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Last year’s Meant to Be found pianist Ramsey Lewis in the affable company of veteran songstress Nancy Wilson. Their collaboration produced a pleasant and satisfying …
16 Feb
Original Cinema (SACD Hybrid) by Sypro Gyra
Sunday, 16 February 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
This is the second release for Spyro Gyra on the Telarc affiliated Heads Up label. This format is SACD hybrid that plays on all SACD and CD players. The 6-channel di…
25 Jan
97th and Columbus by Doc Powell
Saturday, 25 January 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Guitarist Doc Powell remembers the days where he was struggling in small night clubs to make a living on his first release for the Head's Up label 97th and Columbus.…
Los Angeles native Richard Elliot does it again with impressive moves and grooves with the release of his latest album, "Ricochet." Having already taken four discs to the t…
For a debut CD collection, this showcases the smooth guitar sounds of Steve Briody. Eric Marienthal is on hand with those lovely imaginative saxophone musings that only he …
Blessed with a fine touch of straight-ahead/classic, NIGHT SHADOWS is a remarkable debut CD. After listening to this fine collection of original compositions by Richard J. …
06 Jan
97th and Columbus by Doc Powell
Monday, 06 January 2003
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
97th AND COLUMBUS is a stellar collection of bright, innovative contemporary jazz sounds from guitarist Doc Powell. The CD collection has a wide range, and it is highly enj…
I have been enjoying guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler's music for several years and my favorite album until now was "Deliverance." He has also given some great per…
28 Sep
Just Let Me Play by Rick McLemore
Saturday, 28 September 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Smooth jazz guitarist Rick McLemore has just released his funky, urban grooves on his debut CD Project titled, "Just Let Me Play". It is available at local Richmond, Virgin…
Exit 45 offers a variety of jazz music on this debut 17-track CD, "U-Turn" -- from Smooth Jazz, to Latin Jazz, to Straight Ahead Jazz, to Rock Fusion, to Bossa Nova,…
06 Sep
Dig A Little Deeper by The Groovechasers
Friday, 06 September 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
The Groovechasers, a sextet from England, is certainly a group that lives up to its name. On the CD Dig A Little Deeper the Groovechasers seem to be "chasing" a numb…
06 Sep
Don't Wait for Spring by Gary Davis
Friday, 06 September 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
Saxophonist Gary Davis has found his mark in his latest release Don't Wait for Spring. Davis has a different style for himself that is as comfortable on both uptempo…
Nick Kepics was born in Tarentum, PA, in 1949. Self-taught for the most part, he has been a working musician in various local bands during the past 40 years. Nick loves to …
29 Aug
Don't Wait for Spring by Gary Davis
Thursday, 29 August 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
One of the things that I look at when I listen to new music is, is there any emotion in what I'm hearing. In saxophonist Gary Davis' release Don't Wait for Spring, I…
25 Aug
Illinois Jazz Project by Daniel Peterson
Sunday, 25 August 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
It’s a bad sign when an artist asks a reviewer to "ignore the low rent back-up band" on his CD. It shows a lack of confidence in the finished product. The back-up band whic…
26 Jul
August by The Clayton / Scott Group
Friday, 26 July 2002
Published in
Smooth Jazz - CD Reviews
AUGUST is an exceptional entry in the smooth jazz category, featuring the very fine performances of Andrew Scott and Jim Clayton. Original compositions add to the sweet fla…