Smooth Jazz super group, and British instrumental ensemble Acoustic Alchemy celebrates over twenty years of smooth jazz perfection with the release of their latest CD entitled American/English. A CD that does not disappoint.
I must admit I wasn’t really expecting much from American/English but must admit I was pleasantly surprised.
The CD begins with the smooth and laid back track The Crossing, then becomes more adventurous with the remaining 10 tracks.
The groups soul influences can be heard on track 5, The Detroit Shuffle, but this CD is clearly all about the strings and groove.
It appears with Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale at the helm, like fine wine Acoustic Alchemy continues to improve with age. Producing their trade mark naturally smooth sound throughout the CD these guys are still at the top of their game.
I’m of the opinion that American/English is certainly Acoustic Alchemy’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual smooth jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy the very nice mix of smooth and funky tracks.
The standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites on American/English are The Crossing [track 1], The Detroit Shuffle [track 5], and She Speaks American English [track 7]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9, The 14 Carrot Cafe. Very nice!
Release Notes:
Acoustic Alchemy originally released American/English on March 29, 2005 on the Higher Octave record label.
CD track list follows:
1. The Crossing
2. Say Yeah
3. So Kylie
4. Trinity
5. The Detroit Shuffle
6. Cherry Hill
7. She Speaks American English
8. Lilac Lane
9. The 14 Carrot Cafe
10. Get Up (Levantar Y Bailar)
11. The Moon And The Sun
By: Tom Milson
The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz Artist Norman Brown has released his third and latest CD on the Warner Bros. recording label entitled West Coast Coolin’. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Norman Brown fans, and smooth jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.
With the release of West Coast Coolin’ Brown’s artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.
West Coast Coolin’ is what smooth jazz is all about. One of those rare CD’s on which every track is great making it easy to listen to from beginning to end.
The CD offers a buffet of smooth melodic tunes. Kicking off with I Might, a song that features an outstanding vocal contribution from the very soulful Carol Riddick that will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so.
From there Brown proceeds to display why he is considered one the greatest smooth jazz guitarists of our time as he mixes his signature groove throughout the CD. At times very audibly showing the influence George Benson has had on his playing.
Overall West Coast Coolin’ is an outstanding release. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up. Even the casual smooth jazz fan will appreciate and enjoy Browns very nice smooth style.
The standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites on West Coast Coolin’ are I Might [track 1], the title track West Coast Coolin’ [track 3], and I’m Comin’ Over [track 5]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Let’s Play. Very nice!
Release Notes:
Norman Brown originally released West Coast Coolin’ on September 21, 2004 on the Warner Bros. record label.
CD track list follows:
1. I Might (featuring Carol Riddick)
2. Up ‘N’ At ‘Em
3. West Coast Coolin’
4. Missin’ You
5. I’m Comin’ Over
6. What’s Goin’ On
7. Let’s Play
8. Right Now
9. Angel
10. Remember The Time
By: Tom Milson