12 Jul
Smooth Jazz Plays the Hits by Various Artists
- Written by Norm Breest
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Here is a release that presents some of smooth jazz' best performers covering familiar pop and R&B songs. There are plenty of tracks that you might have heard on smooth jaz…
Here is a release that presents some of smooth jazz' best performers covering familiar pop and R&B songs. There are plenty of tracks that you might have heard on smooth jazz radio, but have a hard time finding at your record store. You have classic tracks like Tom Grant's take on Earth, Wind and Fire's Fantasy, but you also have tracks like guitarist Chuck Loeb's emotional version of James Taylor's Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, which is must better than Randy Brecker's remake that had Taylor doing a new vocal of his song.The styles range from Fattburger's flute-based Oye Como Va to George Jinda's uptempo version of The Temptations' Just My Imagination to a slowed-down version of That's the Way of the World from pianist Kim Pensyl. Also of note is pianist Bob Baldwin's 90's feel of People Make the World Go Round and vocalist Me'lisa Morgan's soulful version of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing.Smooth Jazz Plays the Hits is a great way for people who have not discovered what smooth jazz is all about to get an indoctrination about the genre. All of the songs are recognizable to pop and R&B listeners and have enough improvisation to show the difference in smooth jazz and regular instrumental music. People who are used to heavier orchestrated music will find out that you can do more with less and it sounds better as well. Smooth Jazz Plays the Hitsis a must have for any smooth jazz fan or smooth jazz novice. It's a winner!
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: Various Artists
- CD Title: Smooth Jazz Plays the Hits
- Genre: Smooth Jazz
- Year Released: 2002
- Record Label: Shanache
- Label Website: -
- Rating: Five Stars
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