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
The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Jackie McLean has released him CD entitled Action. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Jackie McLean fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Action Jackie McLean’s artistic excellence is on full display as McLean has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be him best work to date.
Jackie McLean has been a heavy hitter in the Jazz genre for quite some time now and Action is an excellent illustration as to why.
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.
The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Jazz isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
It’s a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I’m more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.
Overall Action is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Jazz fan. Really spectacular from beginning to end.
While the entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 2 – Plight, track 4 – I Hear A Rhapsody, and track 5 – Hootnan
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Action. Good stuff!
Action Release Notes:
Jackie McLean originally released Action on June 29, 2004 on the Blue Note Records label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Action
2. Plight
3. Wrong Handle
4. I Hear A Rhapsody
5. Hootnan
Personnel: Jackie McLean (alto saxophone); Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Cecil McBee (bass instrument); Billy Higgins (drums). Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood, NJ (09/16/1964).
By: Tom Milson
Paul Hardcastle, the richly talented Smooth Jazz artist has released his latest CD titled Hardcastle 4 and Wow! It’s really a good 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 Hardcastle 4. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
Hardcastle 4 has a pleasantly varied, mix of 13 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly talented artist.
Paul Hardcastle is one of those musicians that it’s really a treat to be able to listen to.
Overall Hardcastle 4 is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Smooth Jazz fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.
While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 2, Freefall, track 3, Smooth Jazz Is Bumpin, track 4, Keeping It Real.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9, Where Are You Now. Outstanding!
Hardcastle 4 Release Notes:
Paul Hardcastle originally released Hardcastle 4 on Jul 12, 2005 on the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Serene
2. Freefall
3. Smooth Jazz Is Bumpin
4. Keeping It Real
5. Moments In Time
6. Was It Love
7. Midnight Moon
8. Eastern Winds
9. Where Are You Now
10. Straight Ahead
11. Time To Reflect
12. Journey Of The Lost Tribes
13. Untitled – (hidden track)
Personnel: Paul Hardcastle (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Maxine Hardcastle (vocals); Adam Drake (guitar); Snake Davis, Scott Brooker (saxophone).
By: Clyde Lee Dennis