Smooth Grooves: Smooth Jazz, Vol. 1

Smooth Grooves: Smooth Jazz, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004S822

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Saying the smooth-jazz genre has a foundation seems oxymoronic. But, back in the mid-1980s, when KIFM-San Diego, KTWV-Los Angeles, and WNUA-Chicago first went on the air, contemporary jazz musicians were recording music aimed straight at the public's heart, not toward what radio programmers were thinking. Most of the music on the first of this three-volume retrospective reflects that postfusion period of the late 1970s and early 1980s before the term "smooth jazz" existed. It was a time when technically brilliant and commercially successful musicians--such as Ronnie Laws, Bob James, David Sanborn, and the Yellowjackets--were rejecting disco and mixing together rock, jazz, funk, European classical, pop, and New Age music. The resulting sound managed spirited rhythms, interesting harmonies, and quality improvised solos, unlike much of the smooth jazz that would follow. At least half the tracks here, including the first four, are smooth-jazz radio standards. Other tracks, such as Rodney Franklin's "Song for You," Mike Mainieri's "Wanderlust," and "May I Have This Dance," from the exciting Brazilian group Azymuth, are out-of-print gems that alone make this compilation worth having. --Mark Ruffin

Tracks:

Soul Fruit - Brian Hughes
Soul Temptation - Brian Savage
In The Full Moon Light - 3rd Force
Did I Save? - Grant Geissman
Something Special - 3rd Force
Autumn Blue - Craig Chaquico
Mulholland Drive - Bryan Savage
Elegance On The Catwalk - Jonathan Cain
Rendezvous - Doug Cameron
Bandalero - Neal Schon
Here Comes The Night - 3rd Force

Customer Reviews:

Simply fantastic!.......1999-10-03

To all of you romantic people out there: Buy this CD at once! It's an instrumental CD which makes it so pleasant to listen to whatever your'e doing. And I'm sure that the people that enjoy this one will also appreciate "la Esperanza" which is one of the nicest guitar discs I've ever heard.

Night Grooves, Vol. 1: The Best of Narada Jazz

Average customer rating:

Short and Sweet
Excellent Compilation!
A JAZZERS DELIGHT !!

Night Grooves, Vol. 1: The Best of Narada Jazz
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Narada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 1
Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 4

ASIN: B000056O1X
Release Date: 2001-01-23

Tracks:

Dancing Angels - Urban Knights
Walking Through The Pyramid - Oscar Lopez
Love Life - Warren Hill
Whisper Not - Cuba L.A.
Scirocco - Alex Bugnon
Fruit Sandwich - Scott Wilkie
Escape - Flora Purim
Georgia On My Mind - Alex De Grassi
Close Your Eyes And Remember (Edit) - Ramsey Lewis
Hard To Say Goodbye - Toots Thielemans

Customer Reviews:

Short and Sweet.......2002-06-05

I'll be blunt- this CD is awesome. There is so many different kinds of music expressed! Theres a mournful harmonica song, theres a trombone solo song- its just a great CD to listen to on a rainy afternoon, or, for that matter, a sunny day. Definitely a good buy! :-)

Excellent Compilation!.......2002-03-05

Narada has gone out of its way to convince people that it has more to offer than just "New Age" artists. On this compilation, Narada showcases some outstanding jazz talent. The CD opens with a very nice piece from Urban Knights taken from their Urban Knights III CD and then transends effortlessly into what has become my favorite cut, "Walking Through The Pyramid" by Oscar Lopez. The entire compilation was put together so as to sound like it is a CD performed by one group rather than ten. The CD's only draw back is the inclusion of "Escape", the discs only vocal track and possibly the overly laidback lounge music of Toots Thielemans' "Hard To Say Goodbye". At least 8 outstanding tracks for a bargain price. Worth the purchase.

A JAZZERS DELIGHT !!.......2001-04-13

I came across this cd quite by chance whilst on holiday in Florida. I went into the music store with my daughter, who at the tender age of nine displayed a wisdom beyond her years and urged me to listen to the album playing on demo. I was gripped instantly. Its beautiful music born of a marriage of some of the greatest artists on the jazz scene. The varietal style is the making of this album with elements of blues, smooth jazz, traditional and even a hint of latino and funk - superb moody sax playing and some downright soft and sassy trumpet playing to underline a good solid earthy performance. Add a little Cuban spice and some acoustic magic and you have a heady cocktail to spin the senses.

Urban Knights makes for a tasty rhythmic apéritif and before you have a chance to shout encore your sent reeling into Oscar Lopez's hypnotic latino spell. Rushing headlong on through Warren Hill's talented soulful performance on the saxophone your greeted by Cuba L.A exciting and heady interpretation of Whisper Not (my personal favourite). Savour a while those hot, spicy Cuban nights and shimmy out on the dance floor to surrender to the rhythm. Of course they could only follow it with Scott Wilkie, a great talent in his own right, such vibrant and refreshing key work. Of course Fruit Sandwich gives you an appetite for a little Escape and this you can certainly do as you lose yourself in another fine example of some passionate keywork. Alex de Grasi provides us with the only vocal experience on the album and although not normally my forte I have to say its a first rate well produced track. Rushing headlong into the penultimate track your greeted by the Ramsey Lewis Trio performing Close Your Eyes and Remember and boy do you remember this one. This another favourite of mine being a lover of the jazz guitar and I love what I consider to be great tender mood music. Toots Thielemans spine chilling talent on the harmonica finally shows us that it really is Hard to Say Goodbye. This last track for me is another favourite which is good down to the very last drop and comes to an end all too disappointingly soon.

Tracks:

Friends And Strangers - Ronnie Laws
The Lady In My Life - Stanley Jordan
Bali Run - Fourplay
Angela (Theme From 'Taxi') - Bob James
It's Almost Gone - Yellowjackets
Song For You - Rodney Franklin
Wanderlust - Mike Mainieri
Straight To The Heart - David Sanborn
Funk In A Mason Jar - Harvey Mason
May I Have This Dance? - Azymuth
Priscilla - Yellojackets
Twinkle - Earl Klugh

Amazon.com

Saying the smooth-jazz genre has a foundation seems oxymoronic. But, back in the mid-1980s, when KIFM-San Diego, KTWV-Los Angeles, and WNUA-Chicago first went on the air, contemporary jazz musicians were recording music aimed straight at the public's heart, not toward what radio programmers were thinking. Most of the music on the first of this three-volume retrospective reflects that postfusion period of the late 1970s and early 1980s before the term "smooth jazz" existed. It was a time when technically brilliant and commercially successful musicians--such as Ronnie Laws, Bob James, David Sanborn, and the Yellowjackets--were rejecting disco and mixing together rock, jazz, funk, European classical, pop, and New Age music. The resulting sound managed spirited rhythms, interesting harmonies, and quality improvised solos, unlike much of the smooth jazz that would follow. At least half the tracks here, including the first four, are smooth-jazz radio standards. Other tracks, such as Rodney Franklin's "Song for You," Mike Mainieri's "Wanderlust," and "May I Have This Dance," from the exciting Brazilian group Azymuth, are out-of-print gems that alone make this compilation worth having. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

GET IT.......2001-09-13

THE BOMB, O-K! GET ALL THREE VOLUMES OF THIS, P-LEASE! IT'LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! ALSO, GET JAZZY SOUL, VOL. 1-3. FOR SMOOTH & COOL FOLK ONLY, OR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE.

Ultimate Smooth Jazz Collection!.......2000-08-28

This collection is so beautifully put together, it's sure to be a favorite for any lover of jazz. All of these tunes have that "take me away to a heavenly bath" feeling, and it sure does take you away to a heavenly place. This CD contains some of the very best smooth jazz artists of all time. Exquistite performances and compositions. How could you get anything but a great album with artists like the Yellowjackets, Fourplay, Stanley Jordan, and David Sanborn?

Tracks:

You Can't Stop The Rain - Loose Ends
Mornin' - Al Jarreau
Inside My Love - Minnie Riperton
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Do You Get Enough Love - Shirley Jones
Golden Time Of Day - Maze
Remind Me - Patrice Rushen
Walking In Rhythm - The Blackbyrds
Betcha By Golly Wow - Norman Connors
Is It Love That We're Missin' - Quincy Jones
Send Me Your Love - Kashif
Imagination - Miki Howard

Customer Reviews:

Smooth and sophisticated soul at its finest........2004-05-24

Many of the fine songs included here by artists as diverse as Shirley Jones, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Kashif, Al Jarreau, Loose Ends and Minnie Ripperton all became Quiet Storm classics. The real reason why this music remains timeless is because it touches your heart and soul in a way most of today's so-called "Urban" R&B can't- this is REAL music in every way imaginable (so do yourself a favor and buy this CD now- you WON'T be disappointed!).

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