Review
- Demo Cates - Smooth..Try Something New February
26, 2005 - Here's the deal. Imagine Kim Waters blended with Jackie Wilson and
a little bit of Smokey Robinson. Next throw in some influences dating back to
that time in the seventies when soul and funk intermingled with jazz, hard rock
and psychedelia. Getting the picture? Now, finally, add an acting career that
extends from Broadway to top rated TV shows. Although you might not yet have guessed
who fits this particular profile, it is fair to expect that the release of a new
CD from a person with such a pedigree would cause quite a media stir. Just why
the latest recording from singer and sax man Demo Cates has not yet received the
recognition it deserves is a matter that only the listener can judge upon. Whatever
the reason, 'Smooth - Try Something New' is a varied and interesting collection
of eleven tracks that has something for everyone whether it is funky, latin, soulful
or smooth.
Cates
grew up in Detroit Michigan so it's not surprising that he cites the Motown era
as the motivation for his first band, The Counts. For a brief period in the seventies
they offered both vocals and instrumentals that embraced, in turn, sweet soul
ballads and jazzy grooves laid heavy with sax and organ. The Counts opened for
some of the biggest names in the business including Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker
and Al Green butCates moved his career to a stage of a different kind when he
took the skills he gained at the Lee Strasberg Acting School all the way to Broadway
and the part of 'Mufasa' in the Lion King. By now based in Toronto Canada, and
making stops along the way with roles in numerous TV shows and an appearance in
the 1998 movie 'Blues Brothers 2000', the multi dimensional Cates was ready for
a yet another new challenge. He formed his own label, Final Faze Music Incorporated,
to distribute his music exclusively on line and it is through this outlet that
'Smooth - Try Something New' comes.
It's
a release that is full of surprises and none more so than the very first track.
In this era of relentless smooth jazz covers he has come up with one classic tune
that, up until now, has never been covered beyond the confines of the Motown stable
from where it comes. 'Try Something New', the Smokey Robinson composition that
was the title track of the Miracles second album back in 1962, is a sweet and
romantic number that here retains all the lushness of the original with the addition
of a pleasant rolling beat and nice injection of saxophone. The remaining tracks,
all of which are touched in some way by Cates writing skills, range from the groovy
'Just One Kiss' with its pleasing vocals and catchy hook to the funky 'Peace Is
Paradise' that is laced with subliminal vocals and edgy sax playing. A genuine
standout is 'The Vow', a compelling tune with a great sax riff that Cates brings
to us in two versions. The vocal version is track #3 while an atmospheric instrumental
smooth jazz mix of the same number is hidden away as a bonus track at the end
of the CD. It's a tune that has been attracting airplay on Hamilton Ontario's
94.7 FM The Wave and in Calgary on 103.1 The Breeze.
'Smooth
- Try Something New' is a welcome addition to that brand of fusion that lays mid
way between soul and smooth jazz and deserves to do well. Check out more on Demo
Cates and listen to his music via his website at www.democates.com
- Denis Poole. February 26, 2005.
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Demo
Cates
- I'll Try Something New
Tidal Wave Records Being
an old Motown song, more specifically a Smokey
Robinson tune you know that this one has been tried by many. Of course, Smokey
and the Miracles did it in the early sixties and there were covers by the Temptations
and Diana Ross and the Supremes. So why would Toronto's Saxophonist/vocalist Demo
Cates even try this one when it's already been done to perfection? Probably
for the same reason Michael McDonald
recorded his Motown album because they can pull it off! Covering a Motown tune
is kind of like doing a Beatles cover, it's not the Holy Grail but it can make
you look foolish if you don't have the chops. This guy certain does! Demo Cates
is the first artist signed to the new Canadian Smooth Jazz label 'Tidal
Wave' out of Toronto. For the fans who just know him as a sax-man listen up,
this guy can sing! Cates has that special vocal charisma and warmth that makes
you stop in your tracks. It's simply a fun song that should appeal to both Adult
Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio. If this is any indication of his forthcoming
album "Finding Demo" I'll be waiting in line. - by John Beaudin -
Update Demo Cates is no longer with Tidal Wave
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February
26, 2005 - Here's the deal. Imagine Kim Waters blended with Jackie Wilson and
a little bit of Smokey Robinson. Next throw in some influences dating back to
that time in the seventies when soul and funk intermingled with jazz, hard rock
and psychedelia. Getting the picture? Now, finally, add an acting career that
extends from Broadway to top rated TV shows. Although you might not yet have guessed
who fits this particular profile, it is fair to expect that the release of a new
CD from a person with such a pedigree would cause quite a media stir. Just why
the latest recording from singer and sax man Demo Cates has not yet received the
recognition it deserves is a matter that only the listener can judge upon. Whatever
the reason, 'Smooth - Try Something New' is a varied and interesting collection
of eleven tracks that has something for everyone whether it is funky, latin, soulful
or smooth.
