Bob
James & David Sanborn - Maputo August 1, 2005 - When selecting
a recording that could be used to explain smooth jazz to someone brand new to
the genre there could be no finer choice than 'Maputo' written by Marcus Miller
and performed by Bob James and David
Sanborn from their 1986 project 'Double Vision'.Not only is 'Maputo' an excellent
showcase for the smooth jazz genre it is also a great insight into the respective
talents of James and Sanborn who have undoubtedly been among the most significant
players over the three decades it has taken for smooth jazz to establish its own
identity. More
Fattburger
- Love Is Like A River June
22, 2005 - The track we are using this time as a definitive example of 'What's
Smooth Jazz' is the outstanding 'Love Is Like A River' by that underrated purveyor
of quality West Coast Smooth Jazz, Fattburger.
It comes from their 1994 recording on the Shanachie label, 'Livin Large'. Fattburger,
with music varyingly described as new adult contemporary, contemporary Jazz, or
Smooth Jazz, is certainly one of the most enduring bands among those who know
Smooth Jazz. More
Art
Porter - Wishful Thinking
May
4, 2005 - When selecting a recording as an example of classic smooth jazz for
someone new to the genre, there could be no finer choice than 'Wishful Thinking',
written and performed by Art Porter from
his 1996 album 'Lay Your Hands On Me'.Had it not been for his untimely death in
November of 1996 Art Porter would certainly
have been up there in the highest echelon of today's smooth jazz stars. Ideal
for those of us who prefer our smooth jazz not to be too smooth, Art Porters hallmark
thrustful sax playing is perfectly demonstrated on 'Wishful Thinking'. More
Marcus
Johnson - 88 Ways to Love April
4, 2005 - Readers will recall that the purpose of the 'What's Smooth Jazz?' feature
is to draw up a short list of the really great examples of smooth jazz that could
then be used to explain smooth jazz to someone brand new to the genre.Last time
it was the Peter White / Grover
Washington Jr. collaboration 'Midnight In Manhattan' and equally significant
is the latest choice in our quest to identify what smooth jazz really is. It is
'88 Ways To Love' written and performed by Marcus
Johnson and taken from his 1998 album. 'Chocolate City Groove.' More
Peter
White / Grover
Washington Jr.
'Midnight In Manhattan March 1, 2005 - Paul Brown gave perhaps the
best definition of 'What's Smooth Jazz?' when I once heard him explain Smooth
Jazz as the music that Luther Vandross
would play but with the vocals removed. Fact is we have all been in situations
where we have brought up the subject of the music that we love only to be asked
'What's Smooth Jazz?' It is a question not always easy to answer and one that
forms the motivation for this new feature quite simply called 'What's Smooth Jazz?'
More
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