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Pamela Williams "Elixir" Smooth Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2010 No Comments



I can describe the latest release from Smooth Jazz sensation Pamela Williams for you with just one word… Outstanding!

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist 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 Elixir. 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 when the talent is this rich even if Smooth Jazz isn’t your favorite style you still can’t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.

If you’re a Pamela Williams fan this is a CD your collection flat cannot be without. In fact, this is one of those CDs that you don’t even have to be a fan of Williams, or even Smooth Jazz to know is good. It’s just good music. Period.

While the entire album is really very good the truly standout tracks are Forbidden Fruit [track 1], A Jam For Pam [track 4], and Give Me What You Got [track 10].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10, Rise. Good stuff!

Elixir Release Notes:

Pamela Williams originally released Elixir on Mar 21, 2006 on the Shanachie label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Forbidden Fruit

2. Elixir

3. Positive Vibe

4. A Jam For Pam

5. A Toast To Eternity

6. In The Cut

7. Say Yes

8. Rejuvination

9. Give Me What You Got

10. Rise

Personnel: Adam Rogers, Robert Cunningham (guitar); David Mann (saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Pam Williams (tenor saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Alphonso McDuffie (keyboards).

By: Clyde Lee Dennis

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Larry Carlton Sleepwalk Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin on March 11th, 2010 No Comments



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

Posted in Jazz Festivals

Weather Report Heavy Weather Jazz Music CD Review

Posted by admin on September 6th, 2009 No Comments

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

Posted in Jazz Festivals
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