Not sure what’s happening with me on this one, but it seems like the more I listen to it, the better From The Redwoods To The Rockies gets. From The Redwoods To The Rockies simply put is one of Russ Freeman’s best CDs to date.
The CD kicks off with a great track, Riders Of The Ancient Winds, that I suspect will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.
From The Redwoods To The Rockies has a pleasantly varied, mix of 10 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly superb artist.
Russ Freeman possesses the characteristic of being able to bowl you over with his talent alone. The kind of artist I really enjoy listening to.
If you’re even mildly into Smooth Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD. Overall From The Redwoods To The Rockies is an outstanding release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Fallen Heroes. This is a great track!
From The Redwoods To The Rockies Release Notes:
Russ Freeman originally released From The Redwoods To The Rockies on Sep 15, 1998 on the Windham Hill Jazz label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Riders Of The Ancient Winds
2. The Maiden And The Warrior
3. From The Redwoods To The Rockies
4. Samba Del Luna
5. Seattle Child
6. Tribal Runner
7. Fallen Heroes
8. Sweetwater
9. Change Of Seasons
10. From The Redwoods To The Rockies – (acoustic reprise)
Personnel: Russ Freeman, Craig Chaquico (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Taylor (soprano saxophone); David Benoit (piano); Ozzie Ahlers, Bill Heller (keyboards). Engineers include: Nick Sodano, Russ Freeman, Craig Chaquico. Principally recorded at Cheyenne Mountain Ranch Studios, Cheyenne, Colorado from April to June 1998.
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
Piano is the latest release from Smooth Jazz Artist Keiko Matsui, and is another great one by 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.
One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Keiko Matsui’s most impressive releases ever.
If you’re even mildly into Smooth Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD. Overall Piano is an a great release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.
While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 1 – Presence Of The Moon, track 3 – Whisper From The Mirror, and track 5 – Light Above The Trees.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 – See You There. Good stuff!
Piano Release Notes:
Keiko Matsui originally released Piano on May 6, 2003 on the Sony Wonder label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Presence Of The Moon
2. Water Lily
3. Whisper From The Mirror
4. Between The Moons
5. Light Above The Trees
6. Doll
7. Beyond The Light
8. Trees
9. Forever, Forever
10. See You There
11. Dawn
12. Distance
13. Be With Me
Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Derek Nakamoto (programming). Recorded at Power House Studio, Tokyo, Japan.
By: Tom Milson