Acoustic Alchemy American/English Smooth Jazz CD Review
Smooth Jazz super group, and British instrumental ensemble Acoustic Alchemy celebrates over twenty years of smooth jazz perfection with the release of their latest CD entitled American/English. A CD that does not disappoint.
I must admit I wasn’t really expecting much from American/English but must admit I was pleasantly surprised.
The CD begins with the smooth and laid back track The Crossing, then becomes more adventurous with the remaining 10 tracks.
The groups soul influences can be heard on track 5, The Detroit Shuffle, but this CD is clearly all about the strings and groove.
It appears with Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale at the helm, like fine wine Acoustic Alchemy continues to improve with age. Producing their trade mark naturally smooth sound throughout the CD these guys are still at the top of their game.
I’m of the opinion that American/English is certainly Acoustic Alchemy’s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call, must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it’s a collection that even the casual smooth jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy the very nice mix of smooth and funky tracks.
The standout tunes and SmoothJazz247.com favorites on American/English are The Crossing [track 1, The Detroit Shuffle [track 5, and She Speaks American English [track 7. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in Stuck On REpeat is track 9, The 14 Carrot Cafe. Very nice!
Release Notes:
Acoustic Alchemy originally released American/English on March 29, 2005 on the Higher Octave record label.
CD track list follows:
1. The Crossing
2. Say Yeah
3. So Kylie
4. Trinity
5. The Detroit Shuffle
6. Cherry Hill
7. She Speaks American English
8. Lilac Lane
9. The 14 Carrot Cafe
10. Get Up (Levantar Y Bailar)
11. The Moon And The Sun
To listen to samples of each song on American/English by Acoustic alchemy go to: Acoustic Alchemy CD - American/English Samples
Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. SmoothLee is an AVID music fan, smooth jazz in particular, and in addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com can also be heard during his radio show which airs online daily at Smooth Jazz 24/7
Walter Beasley For Her Smooth Jazz CD Review
With the release of For Her Walter Beasley makes his much anticipated debut on the Heads Up record label.
As the story goes the CDs title, For Her, comes as a result of the fact that when Walter first started making it he had just started seeing a new and special woman so it just made sense to him to call it For Her. However at some point during the process of completing the project he broke up with Her. Walter kept the title because he felt she was the emotional inspiration behind the album.
At any rate this is a Very Smooth, Smooth Jazz CD. One of those CDs that goes great with a fireplace, your favorite bottle of wine and your significant other.
The title track, For Her [track 2 and Don’t Say Good Night [track 6 are tunes that will get anybody in the mood.
On Don’t Say Goodnight, and Things Change [track 10 […referring to the break up Walter lends his vocal capabilities. Which come off silky smooth, just like his sax playing.
Smooth Jazz, and Walter Beasley fans will enjoy the mix between soul and smooth jazz on this release.
Overall this CD is a real pleasure to listen to as Walter certainly does not disappoint, and is in my opinion some of his best work.
The standout tunes are Good Morning [track 4, Grace [track 8, and Let’s Ride [track 9. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in Stuck On REpeat is track 5, Lost What Ya’ Feelin?. Very nice!
Release Notes:
This CD was originally released May 24, 2005 on the Heads Up label.
CD track list follows:
1. She’s All That
2. For Her
3. Coolness
4. Good Morning
5. What Ya’ Feelin’?
6. Don’t Say Goodnight
7. Remember When
8. Grace
9. Let’s Ride
10. Things Change
11. Playtime
To hear samples of each song on this CD go to Walter Beasley CD - For Her [ www.smoothlee.com/music-samples/walter-beasley-for-her.htm
Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. SmoothLee has been bumping around on the web since 1999 and is a self described Web Head, and Life long AVID music fan. Smooth Jazz Music in particular. In addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com he is also the Program Director, and can be heard during his daily radio show which airs on one of the internets most listened to smooth jazz radio stations, Smooth Jazz 24/7
Wayman Tisdale Hang Time Smooth Jazz CD Review
Former NBA All Star baller, Wayman Tisdale has done it again with this, his latest smooth jazz CD release Hang Time.
It being, he has turned out yet another funk drenched smooth jazz CD in this his fifth offering.
Showing once again that he is at the top of his game, and in top form. Thumping out smooth jazz tracks one right after the other.
While clearly blazing his own path as an outstanding bassist, the comparisons to the legendary bass guitar playing Stanley Clarke are inescapable. It’s easy to see that Clarke certainly had some measure of influence on Tisdale.
The self taught Tisdale has elevated himself to that level of artist whom I eagerly anticipate any new project from. Clearly growing with each release as a musician and getting better with each outing. Now establishing himself as one of the top bass guitar players in any music category.
If you’ve not yet been introduced to Wayman Tisdale, the musician, this would be a great CD for you to get acquainted with him through.
On Hang Time, as is the case with each of his previous releases, Tisdale has included an impressive interpretation of an old gospel tune Glory Glory. This is an indication of his musical roots which lie in gospel music.
His new tracks are impressive but the one that will get your full attention is an outstanding version of a top R & B tune from the 70’s, Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.
From the opening track, Ready To Hang, right through the very last he brilliantly mixes his trademark funky grooves with just the right blend of mellow.
Featured on track 7, Better Days is smooth jazz legend and label Co-Owner Dave Koz. Also lending a hand on several tracks on the CD are smooth jazz notables Jeff Lorber playing keyboards, and James Lloyd from the group Pieces of a Dream.
Overall I’d say Wayman Tisdale scores big with Hang Time. Continuing his rise as a top bass guitarist. This is probably his best effort so far and is most definitely a worthy addition to any smooth jazz collection.
The standout tunes are Ready To Hang [track 1, Creative Juices [track 2, and Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now [track 4. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore […as in Stuck On REpeat is track 7, Better Days. Very nice!
Release Notes:
This CD was originally released July 13, 2004 on the Rendezvous Entertainment label.
CD track list follows:
1. Ready To Hang
2. Creative Juices
3. Cruisin’
4. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
5. My World
6. Hang Time
7. Better Days
8. Everything In You
9. Even When
10. The Time Is Here
11. Off Into It
12. Glory Glory
To hear samples of each song on this CD go to Wayman Tisdale CD - Hang Time [ www.smoothlee.com/music-samples/wayman-tisdale-hang-time.htm
Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. SmoothLee has been bumping around on the web since 1999 and is a self described Web Head, and Life long AVID music fan. Smooth Jazz Music in particular. In addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com he is also the Program Director, and can be heard during his daily radio show which airs on one of the internets most listened to smooth jazz radio stations, Smooth Jazz 24/7