"Often viewed as something of a warm-up for Quincy Jones before producing Michael Jackson's "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" albums. As with the Jackson discs, Jones creates a seamless mix of pop and funk, helping to create the group's second chart-topper "Strawberry Letter 23" as well the equally effervescent, minor R&B hit "Runnin' for Your Lovin'." With Earth, Wind & Fire's airy dancefloor hits in mind, the Brothers also deliver polished funk tracks like "Right on Time" and "Never Leave You Lonely," as well as more pop-friendly material like "Free Yourself, Be Yourself" and "Love Is." And with one of the best jazz arrangers in the business behind the board, the Brothers couldn't forgo some instrumentals here as well, specifically the breezy, funk-in-a-quiet-storm number "'Q'" and the less intriguing, synthesizer jam "Brother Man." An enjoyable and even infectious collection that, in its sophistication, certainly avoids being just some sort of dry run for Jones." (Stephen Cook, AllMusic; 4,5 uit 5 sterren)
Zevende studio-album van deze Braziliaanse zangeres en een van haar hoogste gewaardeerde albums. Allmusic geeft 4,5 ster: "Eliane Elias blijft de Braziliaanse muziek verkennen op deze nieuwste release, en doet zowel klassiekers als "The Girl From Ipanema" en een Milton Nasciemento medley, plus verschillende nummers van Ivan Lins. Ze gebruikt verschillende bassisten en drummers, waaronder Eddie Gomez, Marc Johnson, Jack DeJohnette en Peter Erskine, plus Nana Vasconcelos op percussie en Lins op vocals."
Carlton is 18 mei 2011 in de Metropool te Hengelo. "Since 1963, the songwriting team of Gamble and Huff has earned 175 gold and platinum records, defining an entire category of Black popular music known as "The Sound of Philadelphia". They were inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995, and were awarded the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1999. Larry Carlton and his legendary guitar skills are backed by some amazing musicians including Paul Shaffer-organ, Tony DeSare-piano, Tommy Byrnes-rhythm guitar, Christopher Jackson-bass, Bill LaBounty-vocals, Andrea Valenti-drums, Vic Stevens-percussion, Mark Douthit-sax, Darcy Hepner-baritone sax, Steve Guttman-trumpet, Nick Marchione-trumpet, Dave Kirkland-trombone, and Chris Komer-french horn. This line-up brings these timeless classics back to life with a new twist that will make this unique record a must have." (Audiophile)
"Laws is a proven natural at combining the exploratory heart of Jazz with the broader reaching strains of Soul and Pop music." (AllAboutJazz)
Zevende album van saxofonist Dave Koz, met medewerking van onder andere Norman Brown, Chris Botti en Marc Antoine.
Hoewel de term in 1983 misschien nog niet ingeburgerd was, zou je kunnen verdedigen dat de stukken op deze plaat een smooth jazz-achtige insteek hebben. Het zijn behaaglijk aanvoelende, dissonantvrije bewerkingen van popnummers als "A House Is Not A Home" (de Bacharach-song) en "Physical" (van Olivia Newton John). Hiervoor maakt de met zijn kenmerkende souljazz in de seventies groot geworden toetsenist gebruik van piano, Fender Rhodes en synthesizer. Hij wordt o.a. bijgestaan door saxofonist Ronnie Laws en gitarist Paul Jackson.
Vier saxophones die drie klassieke stukken spelen namelijk: Pierre Vellones (1898-1939) Au jardin des Bêtes sauvages, Alexandre Glazounow (1865-1936) Saxophone Quartet in Bes op 109 en Tristan Keuris (1946) Music for Saxophones (1986). Opname onder leiding van Han Reiziger uit 1995. (Muziekbank)
De hoes en de tracktitels doen anders vermoeden, maar dit is geen album met wereldmuziek. Het bevat goed in het gehoor liggende jazzy muziek, prima voor op de achtergrond.
Een verzamelaar met het werk van Alphonse Mouzon uit de periode 1981-1988. "End of 2016 the drumming world said its final goodbyes to the influential jazz-rock drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Although he was not quite as recognizable among the wider drumming audience as pioneering players such as Billy Cobham and Lenny White, Mouzon was highly regarded by hardcore followers of fusion drumming. To some, in fact, his name was synonymous with a powerful yet intricate approach to the drumset that still informs contemporary players, from Living Colours Will Calhoun to Animals as Leaders Matt Garstka to Snarky Puppys Robert Searight, Larnell Lewis, and Jason Thomas. Whether serving as a featured sideman with the likes of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, or leading his own jazz-rock-fused solo projects, the Jason Aldean drummer says, Alphonse could do it all, with fire, spirit, swagger, and originality." (Modern Drummer).
"No stranger to the world of the symphony -- having studied classical music from a very early age -- Lewis fuses himself and his trio to the suave, plush forces of London's Philharmonia Orchestra, producing results that can be described as "to the manor born." Lewis' elegant soul stylings and classical arpeggios dovetail right into James Mack's full-scale symphonic arrangements, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in a lavish yet subtle way that transcends ordinary mood music. Yet mood music it is up to a point, for not much is allowed to disturb the warm Philharmonia blanket of sound, and though Lewis gets to display his fertile gospel chops on "Spiritual," he is a very polite American guest. One classical adaptation does find a place here; "The Earle of Salisbury Pavanne" by William Byrd (1543-1623) is turned into some kind of post-Fauré marmalade until a soft Latinish rhythmic underpinning arrives to save it." (Allmusic).
Vele mensen zullen trompettist Herb Alpert vooral kennen van zijn ensemble Tijuana Brass, waarmee hij in de jaren '60 easy listening-hits scoorde als "Spanish Flea". Vergeet niet dat hij ook een prima jazztrompettist is, die wel aan de 'smooth'-kant van het genre opereert. In 1996 had hij juist een smooth jazz-album voor het Verve-label gemaakt in de vorm van "Second Wind". Hij ging vervolgens op tournee met de band van toetsenist Jeff Lorber. Die combi deed ook het Montreux Jazz Festival aan. Daar combineerde hij nieuw materiaal met zijn uitvoeringen van de standard "My Funny Valentine" (natuurlijk geënt op Chet Bakers cool jazz-trompetversie) en de Burt Bacharach/Hal David-evergreen "This Guy's In Love With You". Aardig is, dat hij ook enkele van zijn sxitiessuccessen in een nieuw, soms bijna onherkenbaar smoothjazz-arrangement heeft gegoten.
"When Daft Punk went to make "Random Access Memories", asking bassist Nathan East was one of the smartest moves they made. There's a nod here to the French duo on the smooth disco-funk tune "Daft Funk". East calls upon a large cast of fellow session veterans, as well as several stars who have benefited from his recorded and live work. Unsurprisingly, this is a loose, superbly played set with the feel of a celebration. It kicks into full gear with a rollicking instrumental version of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke," on which East's bass serves as lead. Later on, Stevie himself provides a lead - on harmonica - throughout his "Overjoyed." Van Morrison's "Moondance" features an energized Michael McDonald. Eric Clapton, who has utilized East may times, helps revisit Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" with subtle electric lines. A lot of other notable musicians are involved here, including Fourplay partners Bob James and Chuck Loeb, Vinnie Colauita and Toto's David Paich." (Andy Kellman, Allmusic; 4 uit 5 sterren)
Onze website en deze zoekfunctie is vernieuwd en we werken er op dit moment hard aan om de laatste puntjes op de i te zetten. Mis je bepaalde functionaliteiten, dan vind je hieronder tijdelijk nog de link naar oude zoekfunctie.