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My Favourite Album of the Year…So Far
Review - Andy Scott - Hope
 April 6, 2010 – I’ve learnt to restrain myself through the years. In the early nineties I was approached by a regular reader of my print music article who reminded me that I used the term “favorite album of the year” way too often. He was a very successful writer for the local “legitimate” newspaper. He also told me that I would never be a true journalist until I stopped loving everything I wrote about. “Imagine what Rock’n’Roll would sound like if only positive reviews were printed,” he proclaimed. He had a point. So now I write good and bad reviews and this one is a great review and yes it’s my favorite album of the year…so far.
From the first 30 seconds of this album, as the cliché goes, it had me. Andy Scott has his USB firmly planted in some great creative hard drive in the sky filled with a treasure trove of no-bullshit Jazz essential secrets. He sings like he’s a thousand years old and that’s meant in the kindest sense of the word. The majority of Jazz singers trying to pull off the feat captured on this album end up sounding affected while Scott is so comfortable he could do it while undergoing triple bypass..on himself. Whether through nurture or nature Scott has created an album that mixes the past and present much like Norah Jones did with her debut in 2002. Like her, he has a unique effortless way of singing tunes with a sense of vulnerability and coolness that’s rare in any genre.
“Hope” opens with “Learning to Fly” which is already a big radio tune. It’s offered in both vocal and instrumental versions on the album but, really, given the choice why would anyone pass up a chance to hear this man sing? The tune gave me a “what duh” moment, stopping me in my multi-tasking courtesy of his amazing tone and phrasing. Scott also reminds me of Chet Baker’s transparent, cerebral and complex singing style, there’s something older than years happening here.
“Love and Pain” kicks off with haunting keyboard work from Scott that serves as an ongoing hook throughout the tune. Backed by solid drummer Dan Aran and Smooth Jazz superstar Chieli Minucci it merges all the elements that make up a great Jazz hit..cool, catchy, fresh with a few colourful detours.
“Far” is easily the best song on the album and the prime showcase of Scott’s deliciously lazy, perfectly confident hip vocal style. Want to learn about Jazz phrasing that has just a tiny pinch of rap? Take a listen to this one.
Interestingly, the album takes a turn after the first three tracks. Sonically it’s still dim-the-lights-cool-Jazz but in a more torchy light.
“Nowhere to Go” sounds like classic Jazz that Diana Krall could record but probably not as well and the title tune manages to juggle smooth, contemporary and torch and even a slight Dave Grusin nod in there.
The sombre “Surrender” possibly an anthem to break down walls or simply to listen to the big cheese hits the mark with Scott’s poignant keyboards and longing vocals.
I’ll say it again, Andy Scott’s “Hope” is my favorite album of the year…so far. I like this one so much that it could only be dethroned if his next release date is before year's end. – by John Beaudin |
November 15, 2011 - Dave Koz fans are thrilled with his fourth Christmas album. All the songs on his new release “Ultimate Christmas” are compilations from his three previous holiday albums. Now this is ringing in the festivities Koz style! 
October 25, 2011 – It was only a matter of time before the Air-Com Radio Network added another station to its line-up. Interestingly, the new station attracts the same demographic as the very popular Smooth Jazz Now – 35-64 adults. 
October 24, 2011 – It’s a great time to win an iPad-2! With the Holidays just around the corner you could consider it a great present for yourself or, better yet, give it to the one you love! 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk.
– With two more Smooth Jazz stations (WLOQ in Orlando and Wave/Toronto) giving up on the format this week we thought it was time to mix up the genre, just a bit! “Smooth Jazz Now” has decided to add more life to this format. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
– Not many groups have stood the test of time like Airborne. Coming in around the time that the NAC format was really starting to cook, 1988, this outfit grew with every project, gig and album. Having just released their most powerful album yet, New Horizon’s, it looks like the world is ready for this, a full dose of positive, social conscious fusion. We sat down with the band to chat about all the twisting, yet beneficial roads taken. 
– The smart ones in life know that it’s not how you fall down in life that counts but how you get up. Zach Bandolin has had his fair share of topsy-turvy moments but the guitarist keeps swinging. 
- French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
- Programming Smooth Jazz Radio has allowed me to discover talent over the decades and follow the twists and turns in their career. Such is the case of saxophonist Steve Cole an artist whom has played on numerous number #1 Smooth Jazz hits and been a regular spin on most smooth jazz radio stations play lists. 
– There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. 
– Well, one things for sure, Mindi Abair is not shopping on Main Street anymore. As they say, “run away from the past and eventually it will run into you.” 
