Doc's Jazz Music Reviews

Rick Braun is one of my favorite smooth jazz artist and I think you will enjoy this album from him. It has been out for awhile but the music is as fresh today as when I first got it several years back.

Count Basie and Joe Williams

What can you say about two of the greatest jazz artists of all time. Some younger people may remember Joe Williams as Claire Huxtable’s dad on “The Cosby Show” from the 80’s but he is a jazz icon. What happens when you put two jazz greats together for some music? Pure enjoyment!

I bought this album the first time around after seeing Joe in London it knocked me out then thirty years later it is still fresh as a Daisy. In the mid seventies on a visit to New York once again I heard him sing this time in the Half Note Club to a small audience no words can describe that evening it will stay with me for ever the World is a poorer place without him – Roger Dembina

1. Thou Swell
2. There Will Never Be Another You
3. Our Love Is Here To Stay
4. 'S Wonderful
5. My Baby Just Cares
6. Nevertheless
7. Singin' In The Rain
8. I'm Beginning To See The Light
9. A Fine Romance
10. Come Rain Or Come Shine
11. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
12. This Can't Be Love

Incognito "Eleven" Smooth Jazz Music CD ReviewBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Clyde_Lee_Dennis]Clyde Lee Dennis

From 2006:

Incognito has released their most recent album entitled Eleven.

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 Eleven. 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 genre you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

I’m of the opinion that Eleven is certainly Incognito’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual Smooth Jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While the entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 3, Come Away With Me, track 5, When Tomorrow Brings You Down, and track 7, Show Me Love.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Will I Ever Learn. What a nice track!

Eleven Release Notes:

Incognito originally released Eleven on Jan 24, 2006 on the Narada label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Let The Mystery Be
2. We Got Music
3. Come Away With Me
4. Baby It's All Right
5. When Tomorrow Brings You Down
6. Jacaranca
7. Show Me Love
8. Will I Ever Learn
9. I'll Get By
10. It's Just One Of Those Things
11. As Long As It's You

Incognito: Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick (vocals, guitar); Maysa (vocals); Matt Cooper (various instruments); Tony Remy (guitar, vocoder). Recording information: 2005.
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My wife and I want to see Richard Eliot and Rick Braun at their R&R tour and it was a great time. Richard is one of our favorite sax players and when you listen to Metro Blue you will know why. He did “People Make the World Go Round” at the concert and it was an outstanding performance. You will not get a 9 minute performance on the album but what you do get will not disappoint.

Old Review

One of Smooth Jazz's true sax icons has outdone himself once again! Richard Elliot, with his fourteenth solo release, on his own label this time (he, along with Rick Braun, is a partner in the company), nails it with METRO BLUE.

He's an amazing player, and he gets better with each new release, showing more creative twists and nuances every time out. METRO BLUE contains nine new songs, all collaborations with Rick. They didn't spare superstar talent in the studio, either, using Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Brian Culbertson, Dwight Sills, and Gregg Karukas, among others, on the sessions.

METRO BLUE is an exhilarating meeting of both old and new schools, using classic horn sections and very cool keyboard sounds...but always sounding clearly "today." The one cover on the set is a song Richard's been wanting to re-do for years, The Stylistics' "People Make the World Go Round." This new version takes a great song and creates an even better one, sounding incredibly fresh and different. No wonder it's already propelled METRO BLUE into the [...] Top 5 most played new CDs on Smooth Jazz radio stations across the U.S. and abroad.

Other standout tracks to my ear include "Inside Out," "Camella," "Coastline," "Mystique," and "Maxi's" but, then again, I wouldn't tune anything on this album out if I heard it on the radio. METRO BLUE is signature Richard Elliot kicked up yet another notch, and I'm predicting that it will end up on everyone's list of the best Smooth Jazz albums of the year! ~Scott O'Brien

Metro Blue

Inside Out 4:08
Camella 4:04
Coastline 4:32
People Make the World Go Round 4:25
Say Its So 4:11
Chill Bill 3:59
Mystique 4:25
Mango Tango 4:34
Maxis 3:59
Metro Blue

This review is from 2005:

Hiroshima "Obon" Smooth Jazz Music CD ReviewBy [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Clyde_Lee_Dennis]Clyde Lee Dennis

Obon is the latest Smooth Jazz CD released by the highly talented group Hiroshima who once again have delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Hiroshima fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist or group 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 Obon. 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 players.
Listen to this CD 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 Smooth Jazz music you'll enjoy this CD.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, The Lighthouse. Great track!

Obon Release Notes:

Hiroshima originally released Obon on Apr 26, 2005 on the Heads Up Records label.

CD Track List Follows:
1. Swiss Ming
2. China Latina
3. Kototsu-Han (San Kyoku)
4. Atomic Cafe
5. Obon Two-Five
6. One Thursday Morning 7. Mr. Robben
8. Paris (Ici Avec Moi)
9. Pharoah
10. The Lighthouse
11. Heritage

Hiroshima: June Kuramoto (koto); Dan Kuramoto (flute, shakuhachi, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, keyboards); Kimo Cornwell (piano, keyboards); Dean Cortez (bass instrument); Danny Yamomoto (drums); Shoji Kameda (taiko, percussion). Additional personnel include: Allen Hinds (guitar); Munyungo Jackson, Richie Gajate Garcia (percussion); DJ T-Rock (scratches).

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Brian Culbertson "Nice & Slow" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Clyde_Lee_Dennis]Clyde Lee Dennis

Nice & Slow is the latest Smooth Jazz CD realeased by the highly talented piano playing Brian Culbertson who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I'm confident Brian Culbertson fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Brian Culbertson has been a super star in the Smooth Jazz genre for quite some time now and Nice & Slow is an excellent illustration as to why.

Brian Culbertson is one of those musicians that has the ability to just bowl you over with his talent. The kind of artist it's really a treat to be able to listen to.

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 for the Smooth Jazz fan.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Together Tonight. This is a great track!

Nice & Slow Release Notes:

Brian Culbertson originally released Nice & Slow on Jun 05, 2001 on the Atlantic label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Just Another Day - (featuring Herb Alpert/Jeff Lorber)

2. Get It On

3. Nice & Slow - (featuring Sherree/Trey Lorenz)

4. I Could Get Used To This - (featuring Dave Koz)

5. Without Your Love 6. Someone - (featuring Kenny Lattimore)

7. Prelude To Together Tonight

8. Together Tonight

9. All About You

10. I Wanna Know - (featuring Kirk Whalum)

11. Someone - (Bonus mix, featuring Kenny Lattimore)

Personnel includes: Brian Culbertson (trumpet, trombone, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, bass, synthesizer); Sherree, Trey Lorenz, Kenny Lattimore (vocals); Dave Koz (soprano saxophone); Kirk Whalum, Jim Reid (tenor saxophone); Herb Alpert (trumpet); Ricky Peterson (Wurlitzer piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Jeff Lorber, Eddie Miller (Fender Rhodes piano); Steve Lu (keyboards, synthesizer); Tony Maiden (acoustic & electric guitars); G. Moe, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Michael Thompson (E-bow); Richard Patterson, Alex Al (bass); Donnell Spencer, Jr., Oscar Seaton, Jr. (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Producers include: Brian Culbertson, Donnell Spencer, Jr., Scott Steiner, Steve Lu, Craig Bauer. Engineers include: Brian Culbertson, Steve Lu, Scott Steiner. Digitally remastered using HDCD technology. [http://www.privacytheft.net]www.privacytheft.net [http://www.mfmebook.com/tra/go.php?c=identitytheft]Identity Theft

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Great Jazz Pianists and Their Contributions to Music
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Duane_Shinn]Duane Shinn

Some of the greatest piano players in history became known for their proficiency in jazz. Technicality and a heavy reliance upon the ability of the musician to improvise makes jazz piano one of the hardest styles to learn. That does NOT mean, however, that it can't be learned, but to get to the highest rungs a pianist must have lots of talent, a great ear, and the ability to improvise.

The birth of jazz music in the early 1900s was a significant period in musical history. Many of those who are considered among the greatest jazz pianists of all times were pioneers of the genre during this period. Jazz evolved from musical styles that African slaves brought to America. Therefore, its inception can largely be attributed to the early African-American community. African-American pianists, such as Scott Joplin and Ernest Hogan, are considered to be among the fathers of ragtime music. Although the ragtime era only lasted a few years, it was a precursor to, and contemporary of, the jazz era.

Many of the earliest and greatest jazz pianists were African American. For this reason, jazz music had something of a hurdle to overcome. While many embraced jazz as a new and exciting genre, others didn't. The emancipation of African slaves was still a fresh memory, and many people still carried strong attitudes of racism.

Jazz's public image changed slowly over the first two or three decades of the 20th century. Great African-American jazz pianists of the early to mid 1900s were instrumental in helping transform the perception of jazz. African-American artists like Erroll Garner, Theoloius Monk, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Oscar Peterson brought a level of class to the genre that was undeniable. In fact, the Count Basie orchestra was pivotal to the jazz culture of New York for half a century. Noteworthy musicians in and of themselves, they also provided back-up for critically acclaimed singers like Billie Holliday and Big Joe Turner.

Count Basie's association with Ella Fitzgerald is both historically and musically significant. The 1963 album the two made together is remembered by critics as possibly the greatest recording of her career. Count Basie also made recordings with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett. These match-ups lent even more credibility to jazz as a distinct genre.

The evolution of jazz saw many changes over the ensuing decades. More branches and sub-genres developed. In fact, jazz music fell out of favor with the public for several years in the 1980s. There was controversy within the musical community over the fusing of so many different types of music with jazz. Some purists viewed it as "watering down" the art form. Other musicians and fans see jazz music as a culmination of many types of music and view blending it with rock as simply another variation generally known as "fusion".

Contemporary jazz artists have brought jazz back around into public favor in the 21st century. Today's great jazz pianists, like Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr. and Norah Jones bear living proof of this by number of albums sold. While some write off their work as "pop" jazz, many believe they are instrumental in keeping jazz alive in the new millennium.

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular online newsletter on piano chords, available free at "Exciting [http://www.playpiano.com/Articles/unisons-intervals.htm]Piano Chords & Chord Progressions!"

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Marc Antoine Cruisin Jazz Music CD Review
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Clyde_Lee_Dennis]Clyde Lee Dennis

The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Marc Antoine has released him CD entitled Cruisin. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Marc Antoine fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Cruisin Marc Antoine’s artistic excellence is on full display as Antoine has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be him best work to date.

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.

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 Marc Antoine’s most impressive releases ever.

If you're even mildly into Jazz music you'll enjoy this album. Overall Cruisin is an a great release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - On The Strip, track 7 - Indian Summer, and track 9 - Fuego.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Mas Que Nada. This is a great track!

Cruisin Release Notes:

Marc Antoine originally released Cruisin on June 19, 2001 on the GRP Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Mas Que Nada

2. On The Strip

3. Cruisin'

4. Sierra Bella

5. Just Chillin'

6. Java Montmarte

7. Indian Summer

8. Caribbean Morning

9. Fuego

Personnel: Marc Antoine (guitar, keyboards, bass, programming); Jerry Hey (trumpet); Michael Davis (trombone); Larry Williams (flute); Ricky Peterson, Philippe Saisse (piano, keyboards); Alex Al, Dave Carpenter (bass); Peter Erskine, Lil' John Roberts (drums); Luis Conte (percussion); Patti Austin (background vocals).

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