Review: Gregory E – I’m Coming Home 2 U
March 10, 2009 - I’m Coming Home 2 U is the second release and a very interesting project from newcomer, Gregory E.  The music, excluding many tunes in the second half’s nod to “house” music, is extremely mellow and soothing, often quite melodic, simple, and fit for that evening for two with all of the naughty and romantic trappings.  The smooth jazz element is a mixture of caressing strings here and there, giggling ivories, and warm somewhat thick synth work.  By the way, Gregory E. plays all instruments (by way of synth, I believe).  What I wish I could have heard more of here, however, is an abundance of catchy hooks, breaks, and bridges that stay with me.

Most of the smooth jazz material here is very sweet, albeit a bit repetitive in spots and somewhat devoid of the momentary retreat from the melody to toss in that flavorful bit of variety that I often seek (again, a bridge or a catchy hook or two).   Still, as I've mentioned, it definitely works in a romantic setting, and you listen with no doubt that the artist is clearly a competent, capable musician.  So, this is not one to blow off if you’re interested in the mood-setter stuff.  This has all of that and then some.  However, if you’re listening to the music and the nuances (outside of the synth-created strings support and some of the real keyboard work, that is), you may find yourself wanting a bit more in certain spots.

What I had hoped to hear on this project from this very promising talent was a strong supportive live accompaniment to complement his stylish playing.  Computers do well in the studio under certain circumstances, but not here.  Here, the rather bland bass runs just don’t do much to bolster what is clearly an earnest effort to provide the very essence of smooth jazz.  On the other hand, in some cases, while the “thread” between the tracks has limited breaks (the first half of the album from the second would be one),  you almost don’t mind because the melodies are so sweet and captivating.  Take “Just Because,” for example.  A snappy, moving piece that just keeps moving down the same track in the same direction with no flash or variation on the bass line, but you find yourself groovin’ to the beat and melody nonetheless.  You like that.  It just keeps the party going.  Also, I’ve said there are spots that may leave one wanting, but tunes like “I Will Always Love U” just ooze sentimentality and romance.  It is, in fact, one of the selections with a very nice bridge.  The title cut is another work of art with its peaceful, artful keystrokes. You can actually hear a little story going on here.

The house music element is not, nor has it ever been, my preference; so, tunes like “Caught In The Middle,”  “Let It Flow,” “Dancing the Night Away,” and several others in the second half of this album just left me, quite candidly, flat.  Of course, if that type of music is your thing, here it is.

My advice: Pick up a copy (go to the CDbaby.com web site), and just go with the sweep of the wave of the smooth, cool melody tracks.  Never mind that which could become very noticeably absent if you’re alone and just listening.  It’s piece of work that has great merits. True, it definitely could have been enhanced with a little help from a live accompaniment (a seriously supportive, “talking” bass with creative lines, demanding drums played with the soul-felt drive that only a soulful drummer can unearth, perhaps the cry of a well-fingered guitar) instead of perhaps the computer’s interpretation of where this good musician should be headed.  Nonetheless, I look forward to his next effort in hopes that he picks up those supportive pieces. I fully expect that the end result will be a remarkable one.  This effort, even without them, is still quite adequate.