The exceptionally talented Philip Bailey has released his CD entitled Soul On Jazz. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Philip Bailey fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Soul On Jazz Philip Bailey’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.
Philip Bailey has been a heavy hitter in the music industry for quite a while now and Soul On Jazz is an excellent illustration as to why.
Listen to Soul On Jazz and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired and the production is simply outstanding. If you’re even mildly into Soul or Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD.
While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tracks are Dear Ruby [track 2], Bop-Skip Doodle [track 5], and Keep Your Head To The Sky [track 8].
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. It’s a great track!
Soul On Jazz Release Notes:
Philip Bailey originally released Soul On Jazz on Apr 23, 2002 on the Heads Up Records label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. My Indiscretions
2. Dear Ruby
3. Compared To What
4. Nature Boy
5. Bop-Skip-Doodle
6. Unrestrained
7. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
8. Keep Your Head To The Sky
9. Sometime Ago
10. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
11. On The Red Clay
Personnel includes: Philip Bailey (vocals, timbales); Alan Burroughs (acoustic guitar); Mike “Dino” Cambell, John Hart (guitar); Myron McKinley (melodica, piano, keyboards); Bob Belden (soprano saxophone); Lou Marini (alto saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Scott Wendholt (trumpet); Scott Kinsey (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, programming); Ira Coleman (acoustic bass); David Dyson (bass); Billy Kilson (drums); Don Alias (congas, percussion); Daniel De Los Reyes (congas); DJ Smash (programming); David Whitworth, Charmaine Cousins, Billy Baker, Robert Brookins (background vocals). Producers: Bob Belden, Myron McKinley, Scott Kinsey, Philip Bailey. Recorded at Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey.
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
Bob Baldwin has released him most recent album entitled Standing Tall.
This one grabs your attention right from the beginning with Stand Tall and doesn’t let go until the very last note of the very last song Too Late, which by the way is another great track.
Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Baldwin on several of the tracks. Artists like Roy Ayers and Phil Perry just to name a couple.
Listen to Standing Tall 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 Bob Baldwin is clearly in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Jazz music you’ll enjoy this album.
While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Too Late, track 10 – She’s Single, Ready To Mingle, and track 6 – Where Are You Going?.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8 – Everybody Loves The Sunshine. This is a great track!
Standing Tall Release Notes:
Bob Baldwin originally released Standing Tall on Sep 17, 2002 on the Narada label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Stand Tall
2. Way She Looked, The (At Me)
3. Too Late
4. It’s A New Day
5. Neo-Jazz
6. Where Are You Going? (Brazilian Interlude)
7. See You In Miami
8. Everybody Loves The Sunshine / My Life
9. Let’s Fly Away
10. She’s Single, Ready
To Mingle
11. Mr. Sample
12. Too Late – (TRUE instrumental)
Personnel includes: Bob Baldwin (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, keyboard bass, string synthesizer); Roy Ayers (vocals, vibraphone); Cafe (vocals, percussion); Phyllis Domigue, Phil Perry (vocals); Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Fred Vigdor, Dean James (saxophone); Ray Vega (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joey Sommerville (trumpet); Dennis Johnson (keyboards, keyboard bass, drums); Chieli Minucci (guitar); Lil’ John, Buddy Williams (drums); Emedin Rivera (congas); Joel Rosenblatt (guiro); Andy Korn (drum programming); Zoiea (background vocals). Recorded at The Uppa Room, Yonkers, New York.
By: Tom Milson