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Marc Antoine Universal Language Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin2 on August 22nd, 2010 Comments Off



The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Marc Antoine has released him CD entitled Universal Language. 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 Universal Language 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 isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it’s own.

Marc Antoine is one of those musicians that has the ability to just win you over with him talent. The kind of artist it’s really a treat to be able to listen to.

I’m of the opinion that Universal Language is certainly Marc Antoine’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 Jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While the entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 4 – Children At Play, track 9 – Point Of View, and track 10 – Crossroads

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – Palm Strings. Wow!

Universal Language Release Notes:

Marc Antoine originally released Universal Language on February 15, 2000 on the GRP Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Palm Strings

2. Valerio

3. Celta

4. Children At Play

5. El Camino

6. N.Y. Strolling

7. Elikya (Hope)

8. Bossa Nouveau

9. Point Of View

10. Crossroads

Personnel: Marc Antoine (nylon acoustic & steel-strings guitars, percussion, programming); Lokua Kanza (vocals, guitar); Cara Jackson (vocals); Andy Snitzer (saxophone); Jim Hynes (trumpet); Michael Davis (trombone); Dave Valentin (flute); Philippe Saisse (piano, keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Jeff Golub (electric guitar, electric sitar, mandolin); Will Lee, Mark Egan, Andre Magna (bass).

Engineers: Philippe Saisse, Roy Hendrickson.

Recorded at Valerian Studio, New York, New York.

By: Tom Milson

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Scott Hamilton – Back In New York – Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin2 on August 21st, 2010 Comments Off



One word describes the CD Back In New York from Scott Hamilton… AWESOME!

Scott Hamilton has been a super star in the Jazz genre for quite a while now and Back In New York is an excellent illustration as to why.

Back In New York is a pleasantly varied, mix of 1 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly superb artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Seemingly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, and the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

Overall Back In New York is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 4 – I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, track 7 – Bouncing With Bud, and track 10 – I’ve Just Seen Her

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 – What Is This Thing Called Love. This is a great track!

Back In New York Release Notes:

Scott Hamilton originally released Back In New York on April 5, 2005 on the Concord Jazz label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. What Is This Thing Called Love

2. Wonder Why

3. Blue ‘N’ Boogie

4. I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face

5. Lullaby Of The Leaves

6. Fine And Dandy

7. Bouncing With Bud

8. Love Letters

9. This Is Always

10. I’ve Just Seen Her

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Bill Charlap (piano); Peter Washington (double bass); Kenny Washington (drums). Recording information: Nola Studios, New York, New York (2004).

By: Tom Milson

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Kenny G "At Last – The Duets Album" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin2 on August 19th, 2010 Comments Off



Kenny G, the smooth jazz icon saxophonist for almost 20 years now, has released his first all guest star CD entitled At Last…The Duets Album.

This release finds the smooth jazz saxophone superstar paired with vocal giants ranging from Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan to pop stars including LeAnn Rimes, Daryl Hall, Richard Marx, Brian McKnight, and Earth, Wind and Fire just to name a few.

He also enlisted some instrumental industry heavyweights to pitch in as well. Including trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist David Benoit, and the legendary composer Burt Bacharach.

The CD formula largely works, coming off as a breezy, laid back concert with G adding soft asides to his guest’s vocal performances.

On track 7 Brian McKnight delivers a very nice rendition of Careless Whispers, and on what could be the highlight of the collection, track 5, Chaka Khan actually betters Christina Aguilera’s already outstanding Beautiful. Making it her very own as only she can.

Another very good song is track 6, Pick Up The Pieces on which G teams up with fellow sax smooth jazz Hall of Famer David Sanborn. The pairing of the two saxophone legends leads to a very intriguing sound combination.

I give At Last… The Duets Album my highest recommendation. It just plain belongs in any serious music collectors collection regardless of genre preference.

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 Kenny G’s most impressive releases ever.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites are Don’t Know Why [track 2], Pick Up The Pieces [track 6], and Baby Come To Me [track 9]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Careless Whisper. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Kenny G originally released At Last… The Duets Album on November 23, 2004 on the Arista record label.

CD track list follows:

1. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You- featuring LeAnn Rimes

2. Don’t Know Why- featuring David Benoit

3. I Believe I Can Fly- featuring Yolanda Adams

4. At Last- featuring Arturo Sandoval

5. Beautiful- featuring Chaka Khan

6. Pick Up The Pieces- featuring David Sanborn

7. Careless Whisper- featuring Brian McKnight

8. Misty- featuring Gladys Knight

9. Baby Come To Me- featuring Daryl Hall

10. The Way You Move- featuring Earth Wind & Fire

11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word- featuring Richard Marx

12. Alfie- featuring Burt Bacharach

13. XThe Music That Makes Me Dance- featuring Barbra Streisand

By: Tom Milson

Posted in Jazz Festivals
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