Smooth Jazz Now

Track Listing
1. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - LeAnn Rimes
2. At Last - Arturo Sandoval
3. I Believe I Can Fly - Yolanda Adams
4. Careless Whisper - Brian McKnight
5. Beautiful - Chaka Khan
6. Pick Up The Pieces - David Sanborn
7. Baby Come To Me - Daryl Hall
8. Misty - Gladys Knight
9. Don’t Know Why - David Benoit
10. The Way You Move - Earth Wind & Fire
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Richard Marx
12. Alfie - Burt Bacharach
13. XThe Music That Makes Me Dance - Barbra Streisand

March 27, 2005- Anytime superstar saxophonist Kenny G releases new material, it creates shockwaves heard all over the Smooth Jazz world. But his 2002 release, Paradise, left a little to be desired. It lacked the usual effort and emotion Kenny has always put into his music going all the way back to the Duotones days. So when it was announced "At Last…The Duets Album" was set for release, it was intriguing for two reasons: To hear an improved new effort from Kenny, and to hear more covers of songs from him, after the great success of his "Classics in the Key of G" album. "At Last" certainly gives you a reason to listen, and not just to Kenny himself.

Each of the 13 tracks on the album are covers of classic songs featuring a guest performance from some of the biggest names in music of all time. You won't find many albums featuring a lineup of Gladys Knight, Daryl Hall, Barbra Streisand, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, and many others, not to mention Kenny G himself. Suffice to say, with the various genres the aforementioned cross, not everything on the album fits into the realm of Smooth Jazz. But the creativity of the duets, not to mention the talent, will leave something for every musical taste.

The first track on the album, a duet with LeAnn Rimes on a re-make of the Bryan Adams tune, "Everything I Do I Do It for You", is soft and quiet and a very good fit for the voice of Rimes. The R. Kelly hit, "I Believe I Can Fly", is similar in style featuring the voice of Yolanda Adams, giving the song a lighter side. McKnight joins Kenny for a re-make of the Wham! song "Careless Whisper", bringing a definite urban appeal. Khan sings a beautiful ballad on Christina Aguilera's, "Beautiful." Hall adds his soulful voice on a unique take on James Ingram/Patti Austin's "Baby Come to Me." The unmistakable voice of Richard Marx can be found on Elton John's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word."

For more jazzy appeal, Arturo Sandoval joins Kenny for a very traditional jazz version of Etta James' timeless "At Last" that is quite pretty. The slow, sultry cover of "Misty" featuring the voice of Gladys Knight may shed a tear or two. The legendary Burt Bacharach can be heard on a sweetly sounding re-make of "Alfie." And already two songs from the album are Smooth Jazz hits, with a third sure to follow. David Sanborn joins Kenny for a re-make of "Pick up the Pieces." While the tune is sure to please, one can't help but wonder if the two saxophone supremes should have used their talents on a different song, with Avenue Blue's version a Smooth Jazz radio standard, and AWB's original also receiving airplay on the radio. Nevertheless, just hearing the two together is a treat. Perhaps the best track on the album and also a current Smooth Jazz hit is a cover of Raphael Saadiq's pop hit "The Way You Move", featuring the vocals of Earth, Wind & Fire. You won't be able to stop yourself from moving to the dance beat, the track has an undeniably hip sound. David Benoit meanwhile is featured on a tranquil cover of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why."

Even if you're not the biggest Kenny G fan, you'll want to hear "At Last…The Duets Album" for yourself, if not just to hear the creative ways each of these songs were covered. The best selling instrumental artist of all-time just got some help from his friends, and it's bound to please.
- by Nick Langan - March 27, 2005 -

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