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CLUB 1600 - Club 1600 (N-Coded
Music)
Argentina – Give Love A Chance – Where You Want To Be
– More Precious Than Gold – Whispers Goodnight –
Stay – Spend The Night – 1600 Broadway – So Not So
Rex Rideout is better known as a soul music producer – his
work with artists such as as Will Downing, Angela Bofill and
Peabo Bryson are brilliant examples of quality modern soul. Rex
turns his attention to this eclectic collection of soul / jazz
songs which is more than another string in his bow. The CD cover
proudly highlights who is guesting on this impressive CD: Roy
Ayers, Randy Brecker, Will Downing, Rohn
Lawrence, Maysa, Vinx and Alyson Williams.
Amongst many others, that is. Musically, if you loved the recent
CDs by Vesta Williams, Will Downing, Brian Culbertson and Dunn
Pearson then this is a natural CD to add to the collection. For
my money (and there isn’t much of that, I can tell you!) the
best tracks can be found clustered on the first half of the CD.
The instrumentals sit nicely with the vocals, as they should do
on a well balanced album. "Argentina" is simply
gorgeous as far as instrumentals are concerned, with
Britain’s very own Maysa topping the vocals on the
dreamy "Give Love A Chance" – a song that will
appeal to many of her fans and more besides, I dare say. Fans of
Roy Ayers will find his "Where You Want To Be" will
easily be on par with both his recent sets for AFI Records. Brian
McKnight’s "More Precious Than Gold" gets an
expert workout by a new name to the Lowdown, Vinx, who is
a dead ringer for Will Downing! Don’t be fooled – the
real Will Downing appears with Roy on the aforementioned
"Where You Wanna Be". Finally, for me at least,
"Whispers Goodnight" tops off the real goodies in this
bag; an excellent crisp instrumental in the vein of Bob James
with the acoustic piano. The cover versions of The
Temptations’ "Stay" and Rahsaan Patterson’s
"Spend The Night" are OK but don’t and can’t
meet the standards of the originals. That said, this is one album
I’m sure will be extremely popular, and for very good
reason.
GEORGE BENSON – Absolute Benson
The Ghetto – El Barrio – Jazzenco
– Deeper Than You Think – One On One – Hipping The
Hop – Lately – Come Back Baby – Medicine Man
– El Barrio (MAW Mix)
"Standing Together" is a very tough act to follw; that
album was the best that I believe the great man has probably ever
recorded, and so it is obvious for me that a new album would
have a very hard time trying to equal it, and receive the same
praise as I had lavished on the last set. This new album is a
completely different bag – where "Standing
Together" was more vocal and extremely soulful,
"Absolute Benson" is very much a jazz album with an odd
tip of the hat to classic soul standards such as Donny
Hathaway’s "The Ghetto" and Stevie Wonder
‘s "Lately". Comparing the two sets then, would
not stand up and for that I am quite thankful and most relieved
of such an onerous chore! This really is Benson at his jazziest
and his best. It certainly towers over the lame "That’s
Right" album by a very long chalk. "The Ghetto" is
a MONSTER rendition of the song and is probably one of the better
cover versions that I have ever heard. If you loved "Poquito
Spanish, Poqito Funk" from the last album, then the Masters
At Work collaborations will equally impress. The Latin
flavour is strong and is a perfect vessel for Benson’s
trademark scat and guitar vocalisations. Kenny Gonzalez
and Louie Vega not only create some HOT garage tunes
– they can jazz it up with the best of them. No proof of
their qualifications is needed than their work on this album. Joe
Sample collaborates on the superb outings "Deeper Than
You Think", "One On One", "Hipping The
Hop" and "Medicine Man" – the latter being my
preferred choice. "Jazzenco" is seriously more-ish too
and Marc Antoine can take credit for that. Producer Tommy
LiPuma has really overseen this project well – it
certainly is getting the recognition it deserves. A must.
BONEY JAMES & RICK BRAUN – Shake It Up (Warner
Brothers)
R.S.V.P. – Grazin’ In The Grass – More Than You
Know – Shake It Up – Central Ave. – Love’s
Like That (feat FOURPLAY) – Song For My Father – Chain
Reaction – The Stars Above – Grazin’ In The Grass
(Vocal)
An interesting collaboration, this. I very much respect both
gentleman and as such eagerly awaited the result of their
duetting, as it were, on this album. The result is excellent,
believe me, and in the main favourites I have selected, their
musicianship really works well together – Boney’s tasty
sax and Rick’s gorgeous horn work very well together indeed.
What transpires is a more interesting and varied album than the
usual smooth jazz offering. Sax and horn together really give it
a new dimension of listening altogether. "R.S.V.P." and
"Grazin’ In The Grass" kick backside as far as
groove is concerned. The addition of Rick’s musicianship has
elevated the album from a standard but well sculptured smooth
jazz album into a more tangible jazz-fusion album with real bite.
"More Than You Know" is ultra smooth and sensuously
quiet storm material, both Rhone Lawrence and Pauline
Ad Costa contributing to great effect. If jazz-fusion is more
preferential than smooth jazz then "Central Ave."
should satisfy. Paul Jackson Jr does his thing rather well
and the atmosphere is much more organic than programmed and is,
as a result, fresher on the ear. So can be said for the Fourplay
inclusion – you know that the instruments are real and that
is a real bonus these days. My personal favourite is the
beautiful "The Stars Above". Both Gentleman play their
instruments with such finesse and grace that the song alone does
them much credit.. I really must say that I enjoyed this CD, as I
have had some faith put back into the increasingly dull world of
smooth jazz. Both artists can be very proud of their work on
this. More like it, that’s what I say. Good stuff indeed.
EUGE GROOVE – Euge Groove (Warner
Brothers)
Romeo & Juliet – Sneak A Peak – Vinyl – Give
In To Me – Another Sad Love Song – Tenderhearted Lover
– Truly Emotional – Truly Emotional – Lay It Down
– Summer Stroll – The Last Song
Euge Groove is the latest young sax player to burst onto an
already teeming stage of smooth jazz performers. Some smooth jazz
albums fall fowl when they are samey, choc-a-bloc with pedestrian
grooves and simply mimic what other artists are doing. Others
simply take the genre and really do something with it. I must
admit that I am having the stirrings of discontent with a lot of
these sets now. Although individually they are great, when you
hear four of five different sets which all sound the
same…well, I look for something different, perhaps a jagged
edge here or there or a creative nook and cranny which appeals to
me. That is what I like to highlight on these pages, and
especially with this sort of CD. As a CD of the genre it is
perfect, if Boney James, Steve Cole or George
Howard is your bag then you know what to expect with Euge
Groove. That is a solid, comfortable CD, packed with charming
tunes and jazzy melodies but with…a little something extra
that makes it a shade more different than your average album.
Producer Paul Brown has the ability to add that little
funky touch to most things he touches – "Romeo &
Juliet" has a smooth arrangement with the hint of funkiness
underpinning it – the scratchy guitar does it great service.
Similarly, "Sneak A Peak" has great wah-wah effects and
a funky underpinning groove topped with seamless sax blowing. My
personal choice is the sole vocal exercise, "Give In To
Me" which is EXCELLENT fodder for the soul lovers – J
C Chasez provides an impassioned vocal that sorely needs to
be exploited more than it does. "Vinyl" adds contrast
with some firmer grooves and "Summer Stroll" offers a
warmer melody. All in all, a very good set. More vocals needed,
though.
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Going Home...A Tribute
To Duke Ellington (Platinum)
Going Home - I Ai't Got Nothing But The Blues - Ellington Medly -
The Duke - Come Sunday - Swinging At The Cotton Club - Don't Get
Around Much Anymore - Smokin' - Bring That Duke - It Don't Mean A
Thing
Soul meets zoot suit! An odd, different collection of songs that
pay homage to the late, great Jazz Swinger, Duke Ellington. Not
knowing what to expect, a quick scan of the artists involved in
this project is enough to make you take a second look: for
example Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau, Take 6 and Gregory Hines all
appear on the stompin' big band number "Going Home" -
giving it more than a good shot; musically in the tradition of
big band and vocally these men are superb; Take 6 especially.
Those of you who bought the riotous "Zoot Suit Riot" by
The Cherry Poppin' Daddies a year or so ago should especially dig
this album. Otis Clay lets rip with great panache on the big
number "I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues" featuring
the pruction of ex-One Way trumpeter Burgess Gardner. Jonathan
Butler, Dianne Reeves and Jeffrey Osborne add a lot of sparkle to
their Ellington Medly comprising "Daydream", "I
Didn't Know About You" and "Prelude To A Kiss". A
real monster cut is "Swinging At The Cotton Club"
featuring the one and only Jerry Butler and the mighty, mighty
Dells - Marvin Junior and the boys really opening a can of
whoopass on the arrangement. Talk about Soul Power!!! As far as I
am concerned, the best song by a long chalk is the exquisite duet
between, surprisingly, Nancy Wilson and Kenny Lattimore. This is
one of the best duets I have heard in years - a classy ballad
that Ms. Wilson carries off with homnours - the young Soul Man
earns much respect too for this. Before the CD ends a real treat
is actually a smack-up-to-date street version of "It Don't
Mean A Thing" featuring rap from Guru from Gang Starr and a
female vocailst called Tashina Daniels. Produced by Dwayne
Wiggins this version is great! With production also by George
Duke and Kashif also make this CD essential. Essential!!!
TOM GRANT - In Tune (Windham Hill
Jazz)
Tune It In - Invisible Man - Generous Heart - Save The Best For
Last - Walking On The Wild Side - Black Orpheus - Mysterious
Smile - Calling The Spirits - Overnight Sensation - Sing -
Firefly
"Lip Service" had a more radical sound from Tom Grant
than that of which we are familiar. In fact, it was a good set -
although it lacked that 'feel' that his usual albums have
provided us. For those who found it too modern or pre-programmed,
"Tune It In" is truly a return home to his musical
roots; fresh, jazzy and crammed with real instruments. Choppy,
sprightly, fresh and, furthermore, consistant is the order of the
day. There are no fully vocal songs - the order of the smooth
jazz movement seems to be the sweet semi-sung backing vocals.
Whatever - this is a smart set and this effect is best heard on
the summery "Invisible Man" featuring The Braxton
Brothers on sax with vocals by Larry Batiste and none other than
"Lowdown" fave, Claytoven! (Simply Soul Flavas III on
the way, folks!!!) Perhaps the sheer heat of the music is due to
production from Ray Obeido who is a dab hand at the old 'windows
down' jazz. Slap bass and cool tincling of the old ivories is the
main stay of the funky "Walking On The Wild Side"; a
tune that is more programmed than the others, but is nonetheless
essential. You are well aware of my liking for the eerie and the
spine tingling - "Mysterious Smile" certainly brought
that feeling to me. This is a choice tune from Mr. Grant and no
mistake. Atmospheric, sensuous and with a programmed backbeat
very similar to Kleeer's "Ooooh With You". This song is
one to die for! Sublime it sure is, as is "Calling The
Spirits" which is serious late night chilled music. Tom
Grant has produced a SERIOUSLY strong and essential set for the
jazz-fusion lovers among us. I suggest that you do not skip this
album - it is one that will still sound strong in years to come.
Recommended.
AL JARREAU Tomorrow Today (GRP)
Just To Be Loved - Let Me Love You - In My Music -
Through It All - Tomorrow Today - Flame - Something That You Said
- Last Night - God's Gift To The World - It's How You Say It -
Puddit (Put It Where You Want It)
If Al Jarreau is out seeking nought but the
highest praise for his new long awaited album then he has most
definitely succeded. His best, most solid and classy albums since
the early 1980s, Tomorrow Today serves up 11 SOLID
soulful jazz vocal offerings overlooked by the mighty Paul
Brown and Barry J Eastmond. This album
will receive accolades from all quarters of the wide musical
press and it really deserves it. The CD sticker proudly casts the
album as a set of "unforgettable new songs for tomorrow,
today...the kind that will last forever". One really cannot
put it in a better nutshell, and I agree with every word of it.
Without failure, every song is an instant winner.
My personal 'cream of the crop' include the luxurious Just To
Be Loved with its bright summery harmonica and strings
arranged by Jerry Hey; Flame with its
early '80s warm Fender Rhodes, and the gorgeous gospel duet, God's
Gift To The World with the talented, yet underrrated, Vanessa
Williams. Soulful, jazzy, sexy, groovy and topped off by
an enormous sense of pleaseure and fun, this CD will really do
the business with those of us who know what good music is.
Al Jarreau's classic signature and style is felt instantly and is
stamped throughout the CD like a name in a stick of rock. A guest
on the CD, and sounding very much like the late, great Grover
Washington is Boney James, as one would
expect on a Paul Brown production. Tomorrow Today really
cheered me up no end - we rarely have a set that shines from
beginning to end. 2000 is looking to be a very good year, if all
new releases in 2000 are as good as these reviewed this month
then what a year we will have! UNMISSABLE and 100% ESSENTIAL.
PAUL TAYLOR Undercover (Peak Records
/ N-Coded Music)
Aerial - Velvet Rope - Movin' On - Avenue - My
Love ( feat. PORTRAIT ) - Alone With You - Code Blue - Indigo -
Undercover - Looking Glass
Before you think "Yawn, yet another jaz-fusion sax
album" think again. You may be right in your immediate
reaction but many a thought such as this has allowed some classic
albums to slip by unnoticed, and usually these are the most
sought after in years to come. Sporting a vivacious main of rasta
hair and looking very moody I was not expecting the sheer
soulfulness of this album's songs, and the big surprise was the
production credits, which include Maurice White, Bill
Meyers, Oji Pearce and the very soulful Portrait.
If you're looking for similarities then I would say that Najee
was a good one, perhaps even George Howard. With
that in mind then, imagine a set of mainly instrumentals awash
with fresh sounding summery backdrops and punchy arrangements
that are tighter than the top of a Scotsman's purse!
Apart from the Janet Jackson cover song, Velvet
Rope , I was very impressed with this album, especially the
KILLER ballad featuring the very soulful vocal quartet, Portrait.
My Love is one for the quiet storm and is an absolute
necessary inclusion for the soul buyers amongst you - much better
than the Shai appearance with Boney James on his
Body Language album last year. Sexy sax, soulful vocals
and a horny arrangement all adds up to a "Lowdown"
kneetrembler. It also appears that the group are between labels,
shall we say, as Capitol EMI have done a marvellous job of
ejecting every black music artist with an ounce of talent that
they ever had. I'm glad the fellas are still together and until a
good deal comes along for them (which I sincerely hope it does )
then this is the best that we can hope for in the meantime.
Excellent stuff, though!!!
Alone With You, Code Blue, Indigo and Undecover
are excellent deserts after a vocal main course as that, without
a doubt. Please do not overlook this CD.
ALEX BUGNON
As Promised (Narada Jazz)
Onward, Upward / Sciroccco /All That I Can Say / A
Simple / Song / As Promised / Won't Be A Fool / Chasing Spirals /
Buhania / His Coolness / Naima
The Swiss-born Pianist, Alex Bugnon, turns his
hand to the Fender Rhodes and therefore opens up a broader and
more smoother jazz set than he has produced for a number of
years. He is joined by no less than 18 exemplary guests for this
CD , musicians of the highest calibre including Gerald
Albright, Hubert Eaves IV, Ray Fuller, Vincent Henry, Bashiri
Johnson and Branford Marsalis. What
strikes me about this album in particular is that is is more
consistent than his previous offerings, although where the vocals
are concerned there is nothing here that can touch 1991's So
In Love or 1993's The Heart Song. However,
soulsters Christopher Williams, Lalah Hathaway and
Angie B. Stone put in their respective four
penn'arth which is very good, but not enough to satisfy a lover
af full blown soul / jazz vocals. Mr. Williams' extremely
talented and his gutsy cavernous voice is wasted on what is no
more than backing vocals, as is Lalah Hathaway who adds much
glamour to A Simple Song. More upfront vocals are found
on the funky jam Won't Be A Fool, although I get the
impression that Ms. Stone has been watching too may Lauren
Hill videos as her vocal phrasing is getting more
'street' every time she opens her mouth. Bad move, that. Talking
of Ms. Hill, the cover of her tune All That I Can Say is
very well covered here, as we would expect from the gentleman,
and it goes without saying that it beats the original into the
dust.
As far as these ears can be concerned the very best moments are
therefore instrumental. The king of these compositions is his
marvellous working of Coltrane's timeless Naima
which has been transformed into a slow, dirty groove; a far
distant cousin to Norman Connors' hectic 1993
Brazillian version! An excellent set for the instrumentals, and
one of his better sets. Shame about the lack of full vocals,
though.
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