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Review of the Weather Report CD Mysterious Traveller

Posted by admin2 on August 16th, 2010 Comments Off



The exceptionally talented Jazz group Weather Report have released their CD entitled Mysterious Traveller. 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 Mysterious Traveller 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 Mysterious Traveller. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

The nice thing about a CD like this is with this level of talent even if Jazz isn’t your favorite style you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the musicians.

Overall Mysterious Traveller 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 album is really very good some of my favorites are track 2 – American Tango, track 5 – Blackthorn Rose, and track 7 – Jungle Book

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

Mysterious Traveller Release Notes:

Weather Report originally released Mysterious Traveller on June 4, 2002 on the Legacy Recordings label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Nubian Sundance

2. American Tango

3. Cucumber Slumber

4. Mysterious Traveller

5. Blackthorn Rose

6. Scarlet Woman

7. Jungle Book

Weather Report: Wayne Shorter (soprano & tenor saxophones); Joe Zawinul (Fender Rhodes, piano, synthesizer); Alphonso Johnson (electric bass); Ishmael Wilburn (drums); Dom Um Romao (percussion).

Additional personnel: Miroslav Vitous (acoustic bass); Eric Gravatt (drums).

Recorded at Devonshire Sound, North Hollywood, California between February and March 1974. Includes liner notes by Hal Miller.

By: Tom Milson

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Marc Antoine "Mediterraneo" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin2 on August 2nd, 2010 Comments Off



The very talented Spanish guitar playing Marc Antoine has once again created some of the worlds most beautiful music with the release of his latest CD, Mediterraneo.

Antoine, now clearly on a roll, has developed himself into one of those rare musicians who upon hearing them gives you the impression that he is in total command of his instrument. Causing it to perform in a way that no one else can, or would dare try to duplicate.

I have myself been a big Marc Antoine fan for a few years now but this is by far the most awesome, creative and inspiring work he has produced.

It is an excellent smooth jazz CD and just about the only thing playing in my CD player these days. Listening to it over and over again, I’m finding there’s always something I failed to hear the first, second, third… tenth time.

Mediterraneo is a gem of a CD in that there are literally no wasted tracks. Each one is a masterpiece.

There is just something about GOOD Spanish guitar that engages your imagination and transports you to new and exotic locations. Not to mention the grand smile that it produces. I guess what I’m saying is it generates happy music.

Overall Mediterraneo is smile producing stuff. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up.

Even the casual smooth jazz fan will appreciate and enjoy Antoine’s very nice chord changes, and good mix of styles.

The standout tunes are Funky Picante [track 2], Mediterraneo [track 3], and Senor Groove [track 7]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9, Lady. Very nice!

Release Notes:

This CD was originally released September 23, 2003 on the Rendezvous record label.

CD track list follows:

1. Cuba Nova

2. Funky Picante

3. Mediterraneo

4. Preludio

5. Castellana Hood

6. Afromenco

7. Senor Groove

8. Gotham

9. Lady

10. Gringo

11. Alejandro’s Lullaby

By: Tom Milson

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Norman Brown "West Coast Coolin" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin on April 24th, 2010 No Comments



The exceptionally talented Smooth Jazz Artist Norman Brown has released his third and latest CD on the Warner Bros. recording label entitled West Coast Coolin’. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Norman Brown fans, and smooth jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one.

With the release of West Coast Coolin’ Brown’s artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.

West Coast Coolin’ is what smooth jazz is all about. One of those rare CD’s on which every track is great making it easy to listen to from beginning to end.

The CD offers a buffet of smooth melodic tunes. Kicking off with I Might, a song that features an outstanding vocal contribution from the very soulful Carol Riddick that will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so.

From there Brown proceeds to display why he is considered one the greatest smooth jazz guitarists of our time as he mixes his signature groove throughout the CD. At times very audibly showing the influence George Benson has had on his playing.

Overall West Coast Coolin’ is an outstanding release. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up. Even the casual smooth jazz fan will appreciate and enjoy Browns very nice smooth style.

The standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites on West Coast Coolin’ are I Might [track 1], the title track West Coast Coolin’ [track 3], and I’m Comin’ Over [track 5]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Let’s Play. Very nice!

Release Notes:

Norman Brown originally released West Coast Coolin’ on September 21, 2004 on the Warner Bros. record label.

CD track list follows:

1. I Might (featuring Carol Riddick)

2. Up ‘N’ At ‘Em

3. West Coast Coolin’

4. Missin’ You

5. I’m Comin’ Over

6. What’s Goin’ On

7. Let’s Play

8. Right Now

9. Angel

10. Remember The Time

By: Clyde Lee Dennis

Posted in Jazz Festivals
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