Smooth Jazz Now

Take a little smooth jazz, some R&B, a little hip hop, a touch of rap and a few heartfelt ballads, and you've got the musical feast that is Brian McKnight's latest album - U Turn. This man does it all, including writing (over half the tracks), performing and producing. And like all great artists, he?s never afraid to bare his soul. This is Brian?s first release since his divorce, and his pain is evident throughout, especially on cuts like the breakout hit "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda", the hopeful "Try our Love Again", and the very sad and simple "So Sorry". But there are happy times too, especially when four of the biggest names in R&B (Joe, Carl Thomas, Tyrese, and Tank) join forces with Brian on "Good Enough". U Turn is better than that ... it?s great! - By - Vickie van Dyke

Luther Vandross
Dance With My Father

I've loved Luther forever, and when I first heard "Dance With My Father" I immediately remembered why. Talk about ripping at your heart strings, and especially in light of his recent illness, if the title track doesn't bring a tear to your eye, nothing will. I will readily admit to being a hopeless romantic, and no one sings romance better than Mr. Vandross. Check out "Think About You." Tender and soulful, he never over-sings, over-emotes or overdoes it. It's all the perfect blend of pipes, style and interpretation. "The Closer I Get" (with Beyonce Knowles) is a soft and sensual remake of the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway classic. And there's lots more high-powered guest talent on this collection (Foxy Brown and Busta Rhymes). Okay, I confess - I'm a sucker for the ballads, and "Once Were Lovers" and "Buy Me A Rose" both got me. But hey, "Hit It Again" (with Queen Latifah) is huge hip-hoppy fun. Hurry back, Luther. Whatever you do, you're still doing it right! - By - Vickie van Dyke

Michael McDonald - MOTOWN

What happens when you combine fourteen of the finest R&B songs every written with one the best voices to ever bless a song? You get Motown, the latest album from Michael McDonald. What a superb collection this is! From his gravely groove on Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through The Grapevine to his melancholy take of You Are Everything, McDonald puts his unique stamp on every track. He positively wails on Signed, Sealed, Delivered sounds all smoky on Stevie Wonder's All Is Fair In Love and totally breaks my heart with his raspy whisper on Since I lost My Baby. If you're a fan of Motown classics and great singers, I can't recommend this album enough! - by Vickie van Dyke

Alfie Zappacosta - Innocence Ballet

I like to call Alfie Zappacosta "Mr. Romance", probably because his voice and music seem so incurably, hopelessly romantic. Innocence Ballet is no exception. Dating back to 1995, this CD makes my heart go pitter-patter with every new listen. "Orlanda" is smooth and clever, "Show Me" couldn't be any more playful and "La Sorana" showcases Alfie's virtuosity on the guitar. But my personal favorite has got to be "Me and Mrs. Jones", featuring the incomparable Carlos Del Junco on harmonica. Who'd have thought the little old harp could be such a passionate instrument? Light a few candles, pour the wine and leave it to Mr. Romance. - .by Vickie van Dyke

Warren Hill - Love Songs

Okay, when I say this guy really blows, I mean it in the best sense of the word! Whether it's a pop classic like "You Are So Beautiful", a standard like "My Funny Valentine" or his own "September Morning" (dedicated to the people of New York City), Warren Hill wears his heart on his sleeve - or should I say his lips - in this passionate new collection. Just like the sax itself, the tracks here range from powerful to sweet and subtle. Check out his tender vocals on "Because Of You" and his sexy rendition of Etta James "At Last". If you love the sax, you'll be blown away (sorry) by Love Songs! - by Vickie van Dyke

Carol Welsman's latest CD - Language of Love - was actually a labour of love for this versatile Canadian. The idea is simple - this collection documents the evolution of a love affair, giving Carol the opportunity to sing her favorite songs not only from our culture, but from French, Italian and Brazilian as well! And produced by her long-time idol, Oscar Castro-Neves, the Bossa Nova feel is evident throughout (I especially like "A Fool I Know"). But Carol really shines at taking a classic and making it her own. Check out her sultry rendition of Sting's "Every Breath You Take" and Gershwin's "The Man I Love", where she gets down and bluesy. And if she doesn't rip your heart out on "There's No Such Thing As Love" (just her and the piano), well , you've obviously never had you heart broken. On Language of Love, Carol speaks to us all - beautifully. - by Vickie van Dyke

They say that familiarity breeds contentment and that may be true, but take a listen to Joan Osborne's "How Sweet It Is" and you'll find twelve familiar tracks with a fresh new feel! The debut single - I'll Be Around - puts a jazzy "spin" on the old Spinner's classic. "Think" is nothing but cool, groovin' funk. "Only You Know and I Know" combines rock, jazz and funk and even the title track takes an upbeat, bouncy ditty, loads it with minor chords and turns it into something moody and melancholy. And in these troubled times, Joan's slowed-down version of the 70's anthem "War (What Is It Good For?)" couldn't be more apropos. But my personal favorite has got to be "These Arms Of Mine" - spare and sweet. Whether you're a fan of smooth jazz, R&B, funk, folk or just great music, "How Sweet It Is" is ... indeed! - by Vickie van Dyke

If you're a fan of Steely Dan-esque smooth jazz, you will love Monkey House - they're every bit as "hooky" as their American counterpoints, but with a definite Canadian slant. I mean, who else but a Canadian could name a CD True Winter? Fronted (and written) by piano-man Don Breithaupt, True Winter is packed with catchy musical mini-sagas. "Good Company" features a touch of irony and smooth vocals all around. "Road Movie" is a hoot (any song that talks about "the 10th concession" is okay with this country girl!) and "Dear Stranger" is poppy and poignant at the same time. "Maybe I Don't Want To Know" is another fine example of Don's marriage of off-centre lyrics with fully accessible smooth jazz licks. Very cool. And how could I not love these guys - they let me sing with them! - by Vickie van Dyke

Carol Welsman - Hold Me

Carol Welsman is the real deal - a completely delicious Smooth Jazz package. And "Hold Me" is a truly tasty follow-up to her previous outing ("Inclined") which I also love! Carol is a versatile vocalist (from energetic scatting on "Little Caesar" to Billy Joel's quietly melancholy "And So It Goes"), a talented pianist and songwriter (the title track), a spirited performer (check out her concert at Mac on February 28th and you'll see what I mean!) and one gutsy lady - she tackles both Sting's "Fragile" and Annie Lennox's "Why" with equal aplomb. Did I also mention that she is gorgeous, funny and very nice? Well, she's all that and a bag of chips! Be sure to check out one of my favorite hidden gems - "Love Junkyard" - with a very cool arrangement by Ronnie Foster. - by Vickie van Dyke

I love Smooth Jazz and I love Christmas music ... what could be better than the perfect smooth jazz Christmas album? Dave Koz's "A Smooth Jazz Christmas" is the ideal accompaniment to a glass of mulled wine and a bit of tree-trimming. Dave's sax could be any smoother (just like eggnog!) and with help from the likes of David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White and some delicious vocals from Brenda Russell and Kenny Loggins, this entire CD couldn't be any more festive! I especially like Brenda's soft and sensitive "White Christmas" and the totally jazzy (courtesy of David Benoit) rendition of "Hark The Herald Angels Sings." Go ahead ... get yourself an early present this year and have yourself a very merry "Smooth Jazz Christmas" with Dave Koz and friends! - by Vickie van Dyke

Hard to believe this CD is 7 years old - it's as cool and fresh and as anything on the airwaves today.
Chris delivers 10 gems, including The Wisdom Of Insecurity (the "swimming with the dolphins" song), Something Sexual (with Warren Hill guesting on sax!) and my personal favorite - Over The Moon (which is just about where Chris sends me!) Chris says the album is about "finding and embracing the rhythm in an ever-changing world." I say "find this album in your CD player and you'll embrace one of the finest smooth jazz talents in Canada." Great vocals, great lyrics, great grooves and from a great guy to boot! - by Vickie van Dyke

Back in 1986, long before I had a clue what smooth jazz was, I heard the angelic voice of Anita Baker on pop radio and immediately ran out to buy "Rapture". Fast forward to 2003, and this sensuous collection of timeless tracks is still a regular visitor to my CD player. Thank goodness this one-time legal secretary from Detroit quit her day job. Her effortless style and velvety timbre put some of today's screeching divas to shame, and her songwriting skills are unparalleled. "You Bring Me Joy" still does, "Sweet Love" is sweet indeed, and "Caught Up In The Rapture" has become an anthem for lovers everywhere. If you haven't dug out this treasure it awhile, do it now! After seventeen years, "No One In The World" does it better than Anita Baker! - by Vickie van Dyke