The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz artist Grady Nichols has released his CD entitled Sophistication. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Grady Nichols fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Sophistication Grady Nichols’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.
Grady Nichols has been a super star in the Smooth Jazz genre for quite some time now and Sophistication is an excellent illustration as to why.
Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors n the project including Jeff Lorber and Chris Botti plus a few other notables as well.
If you’re a Grady Nichols 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 Nichols, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.
While the entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 1, Tuesday Morning, track 4, End Of The Night, and track 9, Circle Of Friends.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 6, Dinner And A Movie. What a nice track!
Sophistication Release Notes:
Grady Nichols originally released Sophistication on Jul 27, 2004 on the Compendia Music Group label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Tuesday Morning
2. Livin’ O The Life
3. Sneak
4. End Of The Night
5. All Right
6. Dinner And A Movie
7. Within The Blue
8. Behind The Scenes
9. Circle Of Friends
10. Alone With You
11. Quiet Times
Personnel include: Grady Nichols (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Jeff Lorber (various instruments); Paul Pesco, Ray Fuller (guitar); Chris Botti (trumpet). Recording information: JHL Sounds, Pacific Palisades, California.
By: Tom Milson
Paul Brown has released his most recent CD entitled Up Front.
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 Up Front. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
Up Front is a pleasantly varied, mix of 12 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly talented 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 his own personal experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.
The nice thing about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if smooth jazz isn’t your favorite style 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 if you’re even mildly into smooth jazz music.
While the entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1, Wes’ Coast Swing, track 2 Angel, track 5 My Funny Valentine.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 4, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight. This is a great track!
Up Front Release Notes:
Paul Brown originally released Up Front on Feb 24, 2004 on the GRP Records record label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Wes’ Coast Swing
2. Angel
3. Moment By Moment
4. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
5. My Funny Valentine
6. Phat City
7. Sweet Sweet Love
8. Ain’t No Sunshine
9. Chill Out
10. 24/7
11. Dear Ndugu
12. Moondance
Personnel: Paul Brown (vocals, guitar, programming); Larry Williams (saxophone, flute, keyboards); Boney James, Dan Higgins (saxophone); Rick Braun, Jerry Hey (trumpet); Bill Reichenbach (trombone); Cam (horns, keyboards, bass, drums, programming); Jeff Lorber (vibraphone); D.C. (keyboards, vocodor, synthesizer, guitar, programming); Jeff Carruthers (keyboards, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums); Chuck Loeb (keyboards, acoustic guitar); Kurt Clayton (keyboards, bass, drums); Roberto Vally (keyboards, bass); Peter White (nylon string guitar). Producers include: Peter Brown, Johnny Britt, Cam, Jeff Carruthers, Chuck Loeb. Principally recorded at Funky Joint, Sherman Oaks, California and The Soul Shack, Van Nuys, California.
By: Tom Milson
I can describe the latest release from Smooth Jazz sensation Everette Harp for you with just one word… Outstanding!
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.
All For You is a pleasantly varied, mix of 12 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly superb 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 his own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.
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.
Overall All For You is an outstanding release. Quite possibly Everette Harp’s best to date. Really sensational from beginning to end. If you’re even mildly into Smooth Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD.
While this entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 4, Just Like Ole Times, track 6, Time Of Our Lives, track 10, I Like The Way.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5, When Can I See You Again. It’s a great track!
All For You Release Notes:
Everette Harp originally released All For You on Jul 20, 2004 on the A440 Music Group label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Kisses Don’t Lie
2. Back In Your Arms
3. Hey Yeh
4. Just Like Ole Times
5. When Can I See You Again
6. Time Of Our Lives
7. Can You Hear Me
8. Groove Control
9. It’s Just The Way That You Love Me
10. I Like The Way
11. I Remember When
12. In The Blink Of An Eye
Personnel include: Everette Harp (vocals, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, keyboards, programming); Howard Hewitt (vocals); Dwight Sills, Norman Brown, Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar); Earl Klugh (acoustic guitar); George Duke (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer); Larry Kimpel (bass instrument); Lil’ John Roberts, Michael White (drums). Recording information: Rue De Harp, Santa Clarita, CA; Glenwood Place, Burbank, CA; Le Gonk’s West, Los Angeles, CA.
By: Tom Milson