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

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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

Larry Carlton Sleepwalk Jazz Music CD Review

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Sleepwalk is the latest release from Jazz Sensation Larry Carlton, and is another winner from this talented musician.

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.

Sleepwalk is a pleasantly varied, mix of 8 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Larry Carlton is clearly in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Jazz music you’ll enjoy this album.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 3 – Song For Kate, track 4 – Frenchman’s Flat, and track 8 – You Gotta Get It While You Can.

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7 – 10:00 P.M.. This is a great track!

Sleepwalk Release Notes:

Larry Carlton originally released Sleepwalk on October 25, 1990 on the MCA Jazz label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Last Nite

2. Blues Bird

3. Song For Katie

4. Frenchman’s Flat

5. Sleepwalk

6. Upper Kern

7. 10:00 P. M.

8. You Gotta Get It While You Can

By: Clyde Lee Dennis

Weather Report Heavy Weather Jazz Music CD Review

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The exceptionally talented Jazz group Weather Report have released their CD entitled Heavy Weather. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Weather Report fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Heavy Weather their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD for review that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Heavy Weather. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Heavy Weather is a nicely varied, mix of 8 tracks that are very well written and brilliantly performed songs by these clearly superb musicians. 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 their own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They’re all here.

Listen to this CD and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and this is clearly the work of a group of musicians in top form. So much so that if you’re even mildly into Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD.

While the entire CD is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 2 – A Remark You Made, track 5 – Rumba Mama, and track 8 – Havona.

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

Heavy Weather Release Notes:

Weather Report originally released Heavy Weather on September 23, 1997 on the Legacy Recordings label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Birdland 2. A Remark You Made 3. Teen Town 4. Harlequin 5. Rumba Mama 6. Palladium 7. Juggler, The 8. Havona

Weather Report: Joe Zawinul (vocals, piano, synthesizer, melodica); Jaco Pastorius (vocals, fretless bass, mando-cello, drums, steel drums); Manolo Bandrena (vocals, percussion); Wayne Shorter (soprano & tenor saxophones); Alex Acuna (drums, percussion).

Recorded at Devonshire Sound Studios, North Hollywood, California. Includes liner notes by John Ephland.

By: Clyde Lee Dennis