What initially got me fascinated in jazz was that everyone from the musicians to the people in the audience seemed to be having a good time. No “attitude” was present. I left the club feeling more alert and alive than when I entered! I was sold!
Here are a couple albums that, while now may be labeled “smooth jazz” could more accurately be described as “jazz that’s smooth.” Big difference.
Norman Brown/g, Kirk Whalum/ts-ss-fl and Rick Braun/tp-fh-vtb team up for a third time (after great albums of 70s hits and MJ tunes) with a soulful addition of Hamilton Hardin/key, Ralph Lofton/B3, Nathaniel Kearney Jr/b, Third Richardson-Gorden Campbell/dr and others for a fun and easy grooving album where the smiles stretch for miles. Each guy sings a bit, with a ton of fun on “Turn Up” and “Lemonade.” Lots of street smarts on display here, with Whalum’s sax sounding wonderful on material like “Triple Dare” and “Memphis Steppin’ and Braun sounds brawny on “Hey Baby.” Good vibes are bouncing around on this easy pleaser. Amen!
As for the other guy who put the soul back into “soul” music, vocalist Al Jarreau teams up with an all star team of Steve Gadd/dr, Eric Gale/g, Marcus Miller/b, Joe Sample/key, Paulinho Da Costa/perc, Patches Stewart/horns and a trio of backing vocalists for an upbeat and easy grooving gig at Montreux. He does a couple pieces from his breakout Rainbow disc, with “We Got By” and “You Don’t See Me” a bit mellower, but still with Jarreau in great vocal form. A stylish “Summertime” and “Try A Little Tenderness” are massaged by the leader’s optimistic attitude, while “Alonzo” and “Mas Que Nada” are polished Brazilian gems. “Puddit” closes the evening on a funky beat, but every piece just glows with Jarreau’s positive world view. Good for the blues!