Nice & Slow is the latest Smooth Jazz CD realeased by the highly talented piano playing Brian Culbertson who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Brian Culbertson fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Brian Culbertson has been a super star in the Smooth Jazz genre for quite some time now and Nice & Slow is an excellent illustration as to why.

Brian Culbertson is one of those musicians that has the ability to just bowl you over with his talent. The kind of artist it’s really a treat to be able to listen to.

This is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it my highest recommendation. It’s quite simply great listening. A must buy for the Smooth Jazz fan.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Together Tonight. This is a great track!

Nice & Slow Release Notes:

Brian Culbertson originally released Nice & Slow on Jun 05, 2001 on the Atlantic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Just Another Day – (featuring Herb Alpert/Jeff Lorber)

2. Get It On

3. Nice & Slow – (featuring Sherree/Trey Lorenz)

4. I Could Get Used To This – (featuring Dave Koz)

5. Without Your Love 6. Someone – (featuring Kenny Lattimore)

7. Prelude To Together Tonight

8. Together Tonight

9. All About You

10. I Wanna Know – (featuring Kirk Whalum)

11. Someone – (Bonus mix, featuring Kenny Lattimore)

Personnel includes: Brian Culbertson (trumpet, trombone, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, bass, synthesizer); Sherree, Trey Lorenz, Kenny Lattimore (vocals); Dave Koz (soprano saxophone); Kirk Whalum, Jim Reid (tenor saxophone); Herb Alpert (trumpet); Ricky Peterson (Wurlitzer piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Jeff Lorber, Eddie Miller (Fender Rhodes piano); Steve Lu (keyboards, synthesizer); Tony Maiden (acoustic & electric guitars); G. Moe, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Michael Thompson (E-bow); Richard Patterson, Alex Al (bass); Donnell Spencer, Jr., Oscar Seaton, Jr. (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Producers include: Brian Culbertson, Donnell Spencer, Jr., Scott Steiner, Steve Lu, Craig Bauer. Engineers include: Brian Culbertson, Steve Lu, Scott Steiner. Digitally remastered using HDCD technology.

By: Tom Milson



More and more, cruising is becoming music to our ears.

Whether you’re into Christian Music, Smooth Jazz, Country, Rock and Roll or any of the numerous musical choices, there’s something for everyone on today’s cruise ships.

Coming up soon, November 2-9, 2008, famous saxophonist Dave Koz kicks off his annual Smooth Jazz cruise with a 7-day voyage through the Caribbean. (Take note some of the originally scheduled ports-of-call have changed due to recent hurricane damage.) It’s called Dave Koz and Friends at Sea and there are still a few cabins available on Holland America’s Westerdam. I enjoyed listening to the popular musician when he previously co-hosted the morning show on KTWV Radio in Los Angeles with the delightful Pat Prescott.

If you can’t make it in November, the first ever Playboy Jazz Cruise hosts some very impressive artists this coming January. They include Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Poncho Sanchez and many others. This is also a 7-day Caribbean sailing and runs from January 25 – February 1, 2009 on the same ship, Holland America’s Westerdam.

Here’s an interesting thought with this voyage. It returns to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Superbowl Sunday, February 1. The 2009 Superbowl is being held in Tampa, Florida that same Sunday, which isn’t that far from Ft. Lauderdale. It takes about an hour to fly, or three to four hours to drive. At latest check the one-way airfare on Southwest was running anywhere from $70 to $170. I’m just throwing this out there because for me, it would be a great way to help cure the post-vacation blues. As most of us know, the toughest part of a vacation is the close of it. With something like this to look forward to, it would help ease the transition coming home. As I said, just a thought.

The same company organizing the above two cruises is also putting together a Smooth Jazz cruise that runs the week prior to the Playboy cruise. This one is from January 18-25, 2009 and offers a backstage pass to the sounds of Wayman Tisdale, Peabo Bryson, Kirk Whalum among many other top jazz musicians. It’s also on Holland America’s Westerdam.

By the way, these three cruises are fully chartered cruises. What that means is the entire ship focuses on the featured jazz artists and jazz-related events. It’s not just one corner of the ship that highlights music. So if you’re a jazz fan, this is a great way to indulge your passion. If you’re not a jazz fan, I’d check out some other music cruise options. There are many music cruises available. Country, Christian, Rock and Roll, Irish, Big Band, 50’s and 60’s, just to name a few.

If you’d like to find out about other music theme cruises scheduled on the various cruise ships, check out my theme cruise website listed below and you’ll be able to link to several music cruises. By the way, Music is just one of more than 50 themes listed at my cruise theme website.

Happy Travels!

By: Shelley Lash-Cooper

As a travel writer for Dunhill Vacations, I get to write about some real far out places. As exciting as some exotic escape to Asia or a brand new all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, my favorite type of travel has always been cruising.  I enjoy the thought of being on a small city in the middle of the ocean.  I enjoy the sounds of the surf and the smell of the warm salty air. 

I was introduced to the wonderful world of jazz a little over 4 years ago on holiday up in St. Augustine, FL I stumbled upon a winery overlooking the oldest city in the US, listening to some Jazz. That moment has never left me and neither has my love of Jazz.

As a huge fan of Dave Koz, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the 4th annual Dave Koz and Friends At Sea cruise.  I completely dropped the ball about reporting this last year, but I’m back on the good foot.  Dave Koz has been the first acts that I have ever seen perform live; and it was worth it.  The way he manipulates the sax into ’saying’ exactly what he wants it to say is mind blowing!  I spoke via the internet with a fellow fan that had gone two years ago on Dave’s cruise and he said that it was fabulous. 

Some of Dave’s friends will include Eric Benet, George Duke, Najee (another one of my personal favorites), Brian Simpson and other Grammy Award winning artists.  They will be getting the party started while making stops in Grand Turk, St. Thomas, St. Barth’s and Half Moon Cay.

If you can’t make this one, there is also the great Marcus Miller hosting the first ever Playboy Jazz Cruise. From the early days of the groundbreaking “Playboy After Dark” television show to the annual jazz poll in the magazine to the now 30 year old Playboy Jazz Festival, no one has done jazz better than Playboy.  Join host Marcus Miller and our very special artists for the inaugural sailing of the Playboy Jazz Cruise filled with some of the best contemporary jazz musicians.  The line up for this cruise is every bit a whose who is the world of jazz. Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Keb’ Mo’ are just a small few of the talent boarding this ship.  This Playboy Jazz Cruise will be the first of many festivals at sea.  Ports of call for the Playboy Jazz Cruise include San Juan, Nevis, St. Barths and Hal Moon Cay.

Both cruises will be aboard Holland America.  Cruise with award winning, record breaking jazz musicians in the world today, and don’t forget to bring you favorite wine glass.



By: Rich Gonzalez