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
Sin Palabras (Without Words) is the latest release from Smooth Jazz Superstar Nestor Torres, 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.
One of the nicer things 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 Nestor Torres 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 Torres, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. This is just good music. Period.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 6, Contigo Apprendi. This is a great track!
Sin Palabras (Without Words) Release Notes:
Nestor Torres originally released Sin Palabras (Without Words) on Mar 23, 2004 on the Heads Up Records label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Sin Palabras
2. Labios Dulzes
3. Regalame La Silla Donde Te Espere
4. Pura Brisa
5. Maybe Tonight
6. Contigo Apprendi
7. Gypsy Dancer
8. Lluvias De Cristal
9. Stop Staring
10. Piper Dance
11. No Worries
Personnel include: Nestor Torres (flute); Jimmy Haslip (vocals, bass instrument); Carlos Pennisi (guitar, keyboards, programming); James Lloyd (piano, keyboards, programming); Richard Bravo (percussion). Recording information: 2004.
By: Tom Milson
Lalah Hathaway, very talented Jazz artist has released her latest CD titled Outrun The Sky and Wow! It’s really a good one.
This one grabs your attention right out of the gate with How Many Times and doesn’t let go until the very last note of the very last song Boston, which by the way is another great track.
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 Lalah Hathaway’s most impressive releases ever.
If you’re a Lalah Hathaway 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 Hathaway, or even Jazz to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.
While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are How Many Times [track 1], Forever, For Always, For Love [track 4], and Outrun The Sky [track 6].
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 3, Your Favorite Song. It’s a great track!
Outrun The Sky Release Notes:
Lalah Hathaway originally released Outrun The Sky on Sep 28, 2004 on the ARK 21 label.
CD Track List Follows:
How Many Times Back Then Your Favorite Song Forever, For Always, For Love Better And Better Outrun The Sky If U Ever In The End Admit It Stronger We Were 2 More Boston
Personnel include: Lalah Hathaway (vocals); Mike City (various instruments); David Delhomme (guitar, keyboards); Chris Parks (guitar, bass guitar); John “Jubu” Smith (guitar); Brandon Fields (saxophone); Tim Carmon (Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Michael White, Poogie Bell (drums); Ricky Rodriguez (percussion).
By: Tom Milson