I can describe Smooth Jazz sensation Boney James’s CD Body Language for you with just one word… Outstanding!
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 is NOT a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all.
Body Language is a nicely varied, mix of 9 tracks from one of best smooth jazz sax players around. One of the nicer things about hearing an artist like Boney James is with the level of talent he posses even if Smooth Jazz isn’t your favorite genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
Listen to and I think you’ll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Boney James’s sax work is about as good as it gets.
While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tracks are Are You Ready? [track 1], Into The Blue [track 2], and All Night Long [track 9].
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5, Boneyizm. You gotta love Boneyizm!
Body Language Release Notes:
Boney James originally released Body Language on February 23, 1999 on the Warner Bros. record label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Are You Ready?
2. Into The Blue
3. Body Language
4. I’ll Always Love You – (featuring Shai)
5. Boneyizm
6. Lovefest
7. Bedtime Story
8. I Get Lonely
9. All Night Long
Personnel: Boney James (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Donnell Spencer Jr. (vocals, drums); Shai, Chelle Davis (vocals); Rick Braun (flugelhorn); David Torkanowsky (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards); Phil Davis (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Rex Rideout (keyboards, programming); Tim Heintz, Leon Bisquera, Mark Ellis Stephens (keyboards); Alex Al (synthesizer, bass); Paul Jackson Jr. (acoustic & electric guitars); Rohn Lawrence, Tony Maiden (guitar); Ronnie Garrett, Larry Kimpel (bass); Lil’ John Roberts (drums); Paulinho Da Costa, Lenny Castro (percussion). Engineers include: Paul Brown, Bill Schnee, Don Murray.
By: Clyde Lee Dennis
Sleepwalk is the latest release from Jazz Sensation Larry Carlton, and is another winner from this talented musician.
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, with each song standing tall on it’s own.
Sleepwalk is a pleasantly varied, mix of 8 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.
Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Larry Carlton is clearly in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Jazz music you’ll enjoy this album.
While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Song For Kate, track 4 – Frenchman’s Flat, and track 8 – You Gotta Get It While You Can.
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7 – 10:00 P.M.. This is a great track!
Sleepwalk Release Notes:
Larry Carlton originally released Sleepwalk on October 25, 1990 on the MCA Jazz label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Last Nite
2. Blues Bird
3. Song For Katie
4. Frenchman’s Flat
5. Sleepwalk
6. Upper Kern
7. 10:00 P. M.
8. You Gotta Get It While You Can
By: Clyde Lee Dennis
I can describe the latest release from Smooth Jazz sensation Pamela Williams for you with just one word… Outstanding!
Unfortunately, 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 Elixir. 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 Smooth Jazz isn’t your favorite style you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
If you’re a Pamela Williams fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Williams, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.
While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tracks are Forbidden Fruit [track 1], A Jam For Pam [track 4], and Give Me What You Got [track 10].
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, Rise. Good stuff!
Elixir Release Notes:
Pamela Williams originally released Elixir on Mar 21, 2006 on the Shanachie label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Forbidden Fruit
2. Elixir
3. Positive Vibe
4. A Jam For Pam
5. A Toast To Eternity
6. In The Cut
7. Say Yes
8. Rejuvination
9. Give Me What You Got
10. Rise
Personnel: Adam Rogers, Robert Cunningham (guitar); David Mann (saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Pam Williams (tenor saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Alphonso McDuffie (keyboards).
By: Clyde Lee Dennis