Former NBA All Star baller, Wayman Tisdale has done it again with this, his latest smooth jazz CD release Hang Time.
“It” being, he has turned out yet another funk drenched smooth jazz CD in this his fifth offering.
Showing once again that he is at the top of his game, and in top form. Thumping out smooth jazz tracks one right after the other.
While clearly blazing his own path as an outstanding bassist, the comparisons to the legendary bass guitar playing Stanley Clarke are inescapable. It’s easy to see that Clarke certainly had some measure of influence on Tisdale.
The self taught Tisdale has elevated himself to that level of artist whom I eagerly anticipate any new project from. Clearly growing with each release as a musician and getting better with each outing. Now establishing himself as one of the top bass guitar players in any music category.
If you’ve not yet been introduced to Wayman Tisdale, the musician, this would be a great CD for you to get acquainted with him through.
On Hang Time, as is the case with each of his previous releases, Tisdale has included an impressive interpretation of an old gospel tune Glory Glory. This is an indication of his musical roots which lie in gospel music.
His new tracks are impressive but the one that will get your full attention is an outstanding version of a top R & B tune from the 70’s, Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.
From the opening track, Ready To Hang, right through the very last he brilliantly mixes his trademark funky grooves with just the right blend of mellow.
Featured on track 7, Better Days is smooth jazz legend and label Co-Owner Dave Koz. Also lending a hand on several tracks on the CD are smooth jazz notables Jeff Lorber playing keyboards, and James Lloyd from the group Pieces of a Dream.
Overall I’d say Wayman Tisdale scores big with Hang Time. Continuing his rise as a top bass guitarist. This is probably his best effort so far and is most definitely a worthy addition to any smooth jazz collection.
The standout tunes are Ready To Hang [track 1], Creative Juices [track 2], and Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now [track 4]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Better Days. Very nice!
Release Notes:
This CD was originally released July 13, 2004 on the Rendezvous Entertainment label.
CD track list follows:
1. Ready To Hang
2. Creative Juices
3. Cruisin’
4. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
5. My World
6. Hang Time
7. Better Days
8. Everything In You
9. Even When
10. The Time Is Here
11. Off Into It
12. Glory Glory
By: Tom Milson
The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Keiko Matsui has released her CD entitled Moyo. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Keiko Matsui fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Moyo Keiko Matsui’s artistic excellence is on full display as Matsui has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be her best work to date.
Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.
Overall Moyo is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.
While the entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 2 – A Great Romance, track 5 – An Evening In Gibraltar, and track 6 – When I Close My Eyes
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 – Old Potch Road. It’s a great track!
Moyo Release Notes:
Keiko Matsui originally released Moyo on Apr 24, 2007 on the Sony Wonder label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Moyo (Heart & Soul)
2. Great Romance, A
3. Into The Night
4. Caricias
5. An Evening In Gibraltar
6. When I Close My Eyes
7. After The Rain
8. Allure
9. Black River
10. Old Potch Road
11. Um Novo Dia (A New Day)
12. Marula
Release Notes Personnel include: Keiko Matsui (piano); Richard Bona (vocals, bass guitar); Waldemar Bastos (vocals); Paul Taylor (saxophone); Gerald Albright (soprano saxophone); Hugh Masekela (trumpet); Derek Nakamoto (synthesizer, programming); Akira Jimbo (drums).
Recording information: 2006.
By: Tom Milson
Reflections is the latest Smooth Jazz CD realeased by the extremely talented saxophone playing Alfonzo Blackwell who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Alfonzo Blackwell fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.
I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Reflections. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
The nice thing about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Smooth Jazz isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
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.
While this entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 3, Field Of Dreams, track 5, I Miss You, track 13, Better Days.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5, I Miss You. What a nice track!
Reflections Release Notes:
Alfonzo Blackwell originally released Reflections on Aug 28, 2001 on the Shanachie Records label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Funky Shuffle
2. All Blues
3. Field Of Dreams
4. Joy
5. I Miss You
6. Next To You
7. Take You Out
8. That Feeling
9. True Blue
10. Somewhere Sunday
11. Precious Love
12. Reflections
13. Better Days
14. That’s Cool
Personnel: Alfonzo Blackwell (soprano saxophone, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums); Jean Norris (vocals); David Mann (keyboards, drum programming); Bernd Schoenhart, Chuck Loeb, Mark Marino (guitar). Recorded at Blackwell Studios, New York, New York.
By: Tom Milson