Okay, I admit it, I'm a sucker for jazz collections. When I came across Smooth Jazz Hear And Now in the bargain bin at Tower Records during a recent trip to Memphis, I couldn't resist. This a compilation of previously recorded music that benefits the Jazz Alliance International, a non- profit organization dedicated to supporting jazz music and Jazz musicians. It showcases some of today's top jazz artists, including vocalists Al Jarreau and Norah Jones, keyboardists Joe Sample and Jeff Lorber, and rhythm & blues star Luther Vandross. The 14 tracks on this CD feature primarily fusion jazz, which combines pop, soul, and rhythm & blues, with elements of improvisation.
The first track, Just Chillin', opens with shimmering percussion and horns, that continues on with a funky beat and jazzy guitar accents, in this sultry mid-tempo tune by Norman Brown. It is followed up by Lisa, from Chris Botti's Night Sessions CD. This piece features muted trumpet and acoustic guitar in a mellow, sensual, romantic ballad.
Relative newcomer Norah Jones, adds a smooth vocal on I Don't Know Why, a breezy, pop styled serenade, with jazzy piano accents. Peter White's Bueno Funk is an upbeat, Latin flavored tune with acoustic and electric guitar and silky saxophone accents. The Pecan Tree by Joe Sample begins with a piano and percussion introduction, that leads into a keyboard driven rhythm with a couple of quirky, improvisational jazz solos.
Parisian born classical guitarist Mark Antione, adds a spirited number with On The Strip, a mid-tempo guitar based melody with background orchestral strings. Jeff Lorber picks up the pace with Chopsticks, a slightly oriental flavored number with wailing saxophone and bouncy rhythm. Vocalist Al Jarreau follows with a lush African styled ballad Jacaranda Bougainviellea, with electric guitar, piano, and orchestral accents.
Saxophonist Dave Koz and Luther Vandross combine for an up-tempo love song Can't Let You Go, featuring Koz' sinuous saxophone introduction and Vandros' subtle chant- like vocal accents. The mood changes, with a slower tempo jazz guitar tune by BWB, (Braun, Whalum and Brown) Groovin' and old Rascals tune from the 1960's, with improvisational saxophone, trumpet, and keyboard accents.
Brian Culbertson's Get It On is a funky, rhythm & blues flavored selection with piano and shuffling percussion and electronic keyboard accents. Slam Dunk by Euge Groove, blends pop melodies with smoothly texture jazz lines, in this keyboard driven tune with sumptuous saxophone solos.
The star studded jazz ensemble Four Play, contributes a Caribbean styled tune Rollin' that features sparkling piano solos and bluesy electric guitar and funky bass lines. The final piece, Boney Jones' See What I'm Sayin' is a fluid, mid-tempo, jazz tune with looping saxophone lines, funky bass, and deep baritone vocal echos.
Overall, Smooth Jazz Hear And Now is an appealing collection of very accessible recordings by some of the best artists in contemporary jazz. Although there is not much variation in styles, and a few of the tunes sound a bit alike, for the most part, the sounds are vibrant and relaxing; just right for chillin' and grillin' in the back yard on a lazy afternoon.
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