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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 |
September 3, 2010 – It’s been another smash week for Eric Darius as his new hits single ‘Uptown Swagger’ stayed at #1 on the ‘Smooth Jazz Now TOP 30 Countdown.’ “Eric went out of his way to create an album that had a little bit of everything on it, a nice mix,” says John Beaudin, Countdown host and Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
August 28, 2010 – Eric Darius is not giving up his #1 spot. The talented saxophonist received the most buzz in the last seven days with his latest single ‘Uptown Swagger.’ “Eric is going to be our special guest on the countdown in the next two weeks,” 
August 21, 2010 – After three weeks at the #1 spot Melody Gardot and her hit ‘Baby I’m a Fool” has finally stepped down leaving room for Eric Darius and his first single from the new album ‘On a Mission.” “Uptown Swagger” which has held the #2 spot for four weeks has gained the most ground in the last seven days on the countdown. “This song is totally taking off. 
August 13, 2010 – “This song has legs,” says Smooth Jazz Now Program Director, John Beaudin, when speaking of ‘Baby I’m a Fool’ by Melody Gardot. The popular love song by Gardot has landed in the #1 position for the 3rd straight week. “Our countdown is solely based on how many times a song spins each week,” says Shannon Edwards, 
August 12, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now Program Director, John Beaudin, has his own interesting fact about Tammy Weis. They both lived in Vancouver in the late nineties and got to know each other professionally via phone interviews. Though Beaudin knew what Tammy looked like from her high profile in that city, 
August 10, 2010 – Success has a habit of multiplying itself. Chris Botti has had his “A” game on for quite a few years now and is no stranger to TV. Besides being a regular fixture on PBS he has also been the Musical Director for the Caroline Rhea show and not a week goes by that the talented trumpeter is not a guest on some variety show. 
August 10, 2010 Los Angeles CA - Indie Contemporary Guitarist/Vocalist Steve Oliver holds the No.1 slot on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Chart with "Fun in the Sun" from his Global Kiss CD four weeks in a row and is No.1 on 5 other major smooth jazz charts. 
August 6, 2010 – When we talked to Jack Prybylski we found out he was certainly an interesting chap. A deep thinker and a very spiritual man, the saxophonist has truly enjoyed the road to recording his latest album ‘Out of the Box.’ 
August 2, 2010 – Smooth Jazz Now is pleased to announce the addition of Johnny J. Rivera to our on-air staff. Rivera, a successful Jazz musician in Las Vegas, is fast becoming a national phenomenon with the success of his hit single ‘Lady Cab Driver.’ 
August 1, 2010 – Shannon Edwards was raised in the Okanagan, in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Broadcasting was certainly never on her mind as she searched for a career, “It’s probably the last thing I expected to do,” says Edwards. . 
April 4, 2010 – 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. 
February 23, 2010 - 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. 
June 16, 2010 – 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. 
May 12, 2010 – 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.” 
March 28, 2010 – Here is a band that I’ve watched carefully for the past few years and with the release of “Where Are You” I wondered if they could finally move their tickle-trunk of tricks to the next level. Unfortunately, they’ve eluded that destination but it’s not to say that this album is a total bust.
