Um, I Can't Even Complete A Complete Sentance

I just saw Keiko Matsui at Yoshi's and I am still mad emotional about it. That was the best concert I have ever been to... point blank. I'm sorry, it was.

Keiko Matsui is such a show(woman), and she has so much personality for a lady of such small stature. I mean seriously.

The concert started at 8:00pm but I got there at 5:30 to get my seat. Got almost a front row center seat in one of the circular booths so I was RIGHT THERE behind the piano to see the action. Oh my goodness. I still can't believe it.

If you have any like (it doesn't even have to be love) for jazz music and/or the piano, seeing Keiko Matsui live is a must. I can't even find the words to explain how good she is. All I can say is she tells a story with her music; and to hear her on CD and see her in concert is a whole nother thing.

AND she's gonna be in Austin in October, hellsa going back to see her. OH MY GOSH!

KEIKO MATSUI KILLED IT SO HARD TONIGHT THAT I AM SPEECHLESS...which doesn't happen often, so you know it was amazing.

Do You Want Me To Be Inside?

You've got that body and I wanna ride with you babe...you.

From Boney James feat. Jaheim... Ride. I loved this song when it came out about 5 or so years ago, but I recently heard it on the radio. This song gets it son. Sorry, it just does. Actually Boney James has gotten it since about 1998, but I kinda got tired of him because all of his stuff started to sound the same. Boneyard and Grand Central are good choices as well.

Now, for some reason, I am hearing his stuff a bit more (oh I know why, because I am back in the bay area and we actually have a jazz station here) and I just remembered how tough he gets it.

Take for instance, Pure. Freaking great song. That would be a song you listen to when you are driving down a coast, just chill. And to be honest, he isnt' the greatest saxaphonist, and yes he is very commercial, but it is he beats and compososition that set him apart.

You know what lets just do this for the heck of it. Imma post my favorite song from each album. Shoo I already started to.

So lets move on to Shine, which was his last album and admittedly I was not feeling this album. He had two good ones, Hypnotic with George Benson and In The Rain with Dwele. This song reminds me of the Starbucks on Center and Oxford...studying for the LSAT... very boo. Still a good song though.

Now Shake it Up with Rick Braun. There were actually a couple that I really liked on here. Grazing in the Grass has been done so much and they really didn't add anything to it. But RSVP was kinda hot on the other hand. Once again it is the programming and composition.

So Body Language was probably may favorite or second favorite of his albums. You can almost play this one straight through. Let's start with Are You Ready. I like this one because it is softer and smoother than a lot of his stuff, but it still gets it. It does sound a bit like Kenny G. at times, but the beats kill that notion quick. The title track Body Language gets it on so many levels. If this song is not sexy, I don't know what is. Like for real. Oh wee... Now Bedtime Stories. From the very first beats you are entranced. Just gives you chills. All the rest are solid.

Sweet Thing was the first Boney James CD I bought in 9th grade. Good memories. The first three are the best. The rest is solid. Words (unpoken) is hauntingly good.

Yeah, going through this list of CD's I do see how someone might say that Boney started to get unoriginal and uninspired. When we get to Seduction, it is kinda clear. The title track is like everything I said about all the other songs wrapped up into one. Camoflauge and Sara Smile are solid as well.

Is it wrong that I have never heard any of the songs from Trust? Maybe because I could never find it.

Backbone was OK, but probably my least favorite. I liked Just Between Us and thats about it. I love the way the soprano and alto saxes, "talk" to each other. Kinda Hot.

Woo, that just took me back.! Good stuff. I'm glad Smooth Jazz is not dying like hip hop and R&B are. Thanks guys

Pieces of a Dream

This is another smooth jazz group that I think gets over looked often. The piano player is amazing. Absolutly. If you listen to thier music, you cannot help but to give "the face" I've talked about so many times. The stuff is just so ridiculously hot.

The consistently put out stuff that is good. It has a same difference to it if that makes any sense. Their pieces have a uniqueness about them that you pretty much know that it is Pieces of a Dream but every album sounds different

I think what makes them so good is they know how to mix the piano with R&B rhythms... a lot of people claim that they do this...but not so. Most people just infuse R&B elements... but they have the whole package. And somehow they do not lose the smooth jazzness. Stix Bones is one who uses R&B and Hip Hop rhythms but his music sounds undeniably like R&B and Hip Hop. Somehow Pieces of a Dream are able to mix the piano with the sax and beats JUST right that it is an amalgamation of both.

What prompted this is because while listening to Pandora, I heard a song of theirs I had never heard. Turning it Up. Hotness... loving it.

Paul Hardcastle v. The Jazzmasters

Yeah, this is not a music battle. I just need someone to please tell me what the difference is between the two. I mean come ON...it's like the same people. Everyone knows they are the same. I think Paul Hardcastle goes in the studio and is like...hmmm... I think this is going to be a Jazzmasters song... like just super random.

To me, they are the same thing... but if anyone can tell me different, I'd appreciate it. lol

Feelin' It

Ahmad Jamal was quite and attractive young man...simply saying. Anyhoo, look at the style and grace of his playing. Loving it.

How bout this audio sample?

The Neck Factor

I have found a new term to describe what I used to call, "making the stank face". Marcus Johnson, pianist extrordinare came up with the more classy term of the "the neck factor". When the beat is just so funky and smooth that you can't help but move your neck. Real music heads know exactly what i am talking about. An example of a musician who always brings the neck factor is George Clinton. His stuff is so funky... you got get the neck going.

But let me introduce this question... what about songs that are so funky and getting it that "the neck factor" is simply not enough. Marcus Johnson's "Just Doing What I Do" is definatly one of those. There is this one part of the song, maybe it is the hook, not sure, but the bass line comes in, and you it forces not only the neck factor, but the stank face will pop up too. Greatness man.

The New Smooth Jazz

I read some article a couple of months ago where someone was upset about smooth jazz being called Jazz, because it is not or something. And then they went on to say how most Smooth Jazz artists are white, which further explains why it isn't jazz. UM how bout.....NOOOOOOOO.

Yeah I am going to have to write something about this. STFW if most of the Smooth Jazz people are white... they be GETTING IT. I am sooooo sorry. Music is supposed to evolve, it is not supposed to stay static. Last week when I was in New Orleans, some people went to see a brass band and one of my friends was like, "I had no that was considered Jazz". Yes people, Jazz isn't just Miles Davis or John Coltrane or Dizzy or Kenny G or Euge Groove or Dave Koz or Keiko Matsui or Tito Puente or Gato Barbiere. It is ALL OF THIS AND MORE and there is nothing wrong with that.

Here is another thing that really gets my blood boiling. Why do people always want to classify Keiko Matsui as New Age? Yes, granted MOST of her albums have been New Age, but Moyo was a straight up Jazz album, yet people still classify it as New Age? Are people scared to classify her as that because she is an Asian woman? What's really good?

By the way, the smooth jazz cruise is this weekend...why am I not there? Oh yes, I forgot, law school....

Actually, what sparked this post was I am listening to Brian Simpson, and I have got to say I love this man. Not the same love as Paul Taylor, Keiko Matsui, or Philippe Saisse (maybe even Paul Hardcastle), but he is close. He is getting it right now. It's not a new CD, but I'm in Austin so I don't have a jazz station. Above the Clouds is a 11 track CD and I can listen to the whole thing straight through. There are no throw away of filler tracks on here (well I don't particularly like #2, I don't like that hyper type music, and I listen to Fiona's Song as it is too many different people in it...lol.)

But yeah, he used to be piano man for Dave Koz (which could explain why Dave sounds so good...not taking anything away from him). Seriously though, part of the reason Keiko Matsui's later albums sounded so good was because Paul Taylor was her saxophonist. Anyway, Brian Simpson is now on the list for favorite "smooth jazz" pianists. So far I think our list is as follows;

1. Keiko Matsui
2. Philippe Saisse
3. Paul Hardcastle
4. Brian Culbertson
5. Brian Simpson
6. Euge Groove
7. Jeff Lorber
8. David Benoit


I consider myself an AVID jazz lover, and 95 percent of my favorite jazz artists aren't black. It is what it is. They are doing it UP, so I think people just need to accept it for what it is. Loving it!

Just Wow... Who Knew Birds Could Be So Emotional?

There really is nothing I can say... just honestly.... HONESTLY. Man... seriously. If I EVER find someone, anyone that shares my love for her (Keiko Matsui that is) music... Title is called White Owl.

Here Comes Another

MAN! I am sorry, I must do it again. I must. I was trying to limit my posts about music...but when I am studying so much, there is no possible way I can do this. So, when I am studying, I like listening to Jazz. It depends on what type of studying. Deep studying, I listen to strictly instrumental jazz that has a sort of film-score like quality. Songs that are usually, upwards of 6 plus minutes without too much excitement. For daily reading, I listen to pop-jazz (I hate that name, but it is what it is) and sort of old school jazz.

Today, I am in deep study mode as I have to prepare for my second paper I am going to get tomorrow for Con Law. So who am I listening to? I am listening to my favorite pianist...Keiko Matsui. I mean seriously, it used to be a tie between Philippe Saisse and Keiko Matsui for my favorite pianist, but lets be real, there is no contest. I can't even describe here music. There is just so much on so many different levels.

Like I said in another post, music is so much more than just playing your instrument. It is all about the production. Maybe I should be giving props to her ex-husband, Kazu Matsui who produces all of her music. Anyway, so far I have sat here and listened to 4 CD's straight through and I have gotten something different from each of them. It is crazy. Most artists can and only stick to one genre, but not Keiko. She is the definition of experimentation and I LOVE IT.

So far, my favorite CD is definitly Dream Walk because it is possibly her most haunting CD. I love the slow, drawn out melodies with the kind of synth-y backgrounds, it is just absolutely beautify. Second favorite would have to be Wildflower because that one has a lot of film-score like songs on it that just take you in... definitely the most dramatic of the albums.

Man....... good stuff man.

My ENTIRE life isnt about music

Although it might seem that way looking at my recent posts. I've been studying more and more, and I am one of those weird people who HAVE to study with music or I cannot focus. I have been in the library, realized I forgot my headphones and home and had to leave...it just would not have been a productive time. Rhapsody is a great thing my friends.

The point of this is, I found another musician to fawn over...Rick Kelly aka Soul Ballet. Man...the stuff is good. It actually reminds me of a couple of Philippe Saisse's albums (Halfway til Dawn and Masques). I GUESS we can call it more pop jazz, but it has elements of electronica mixed in with genuine jazz beats and stuff...it's just greatness.

Those music channels on Comcast/Time Warner Cable are freaking great, they give you such an array of music even within one genre. If I do study at home, that channel is an absolute must.

Why does old school jazz make me think of a fall/winter night in a big city (namely San Francisco, DC, or New York)...like just straight class? Everytime I hear some, I start thinking about 5 star restaurants and hotels and nice clothes and dancing (yeah actual dancing, not gyrations lol). I loves it...if you ever need to be taken on a journey, I suggest you put on some of the old school jazz.

Man Son Man

This is like what, my third Paul Taylor post in like the month, but I must give props to the new album, "Ladies Choice". At first I wasn't feeling it because half of the CD has singing on it and everyone knows that I do NOT like singing. However, on like the second listen, it really is rather hot. In all honesty. He chose just the right singers to showcase on the album. I think that is a big problem with a lot of instrumentalists that choose to put singers on their records, they chose "who's hot in the streets" NOT whose voice compliments the instrument they play. But Paul Taylor has alto-ish women singers (Regina Belle and Latoya London to name a few) that really complement his soprano sax. I think Boney James usually does a good job of picking the right vocalists too. It has GOT to add an element to the song, they CANNOT take over… or I'll throw the CD in the garbage.

Paul Taylor will always get raves from me though because he is one of the few people who can give me straight up goosebumps in 80 degree weather and whose musicality moves me to the point of tears almost. BUT there was one thing I was extremely disappointed with. Songs 1 and 2, Ladies Choice and I Want To Be Loved (By You) BOTH have the same opening. Like the very same opening. I was really upset by that. Maybe if they had moved the songs a couple of songs apart I would not have picked up on it, but they didn't and I was seriously disappointed.

Music Battle: Peter White v. Ken Navarro

Ok, so these are my two favorite jazz guitarists out there. They both play the nylon string acoustic guitar, yet they have two very different sounds. Loving them both though. The point of this post is just to show how much of a person's soul is put into the music/musicality and production. I mean, you can't just know how to play a musical instrument, I really has to be an extension of you. And I am sorry that I must harp on this person, but Kenny G. is a prime example. I feel like he knows how to play the sax, BUT he puts no feeling into it. He is not one with his instrument in my opinion. He just seems to put notes out there. But then again, I think a lot of his issue is his production and he seriously lacks musicality.

But back to the lecture at hand...Ken Navarro and Peter White both play from the soul and both sound so different to me. I guess it is the way they interpret the music and put certain sounds together. I love the way Ken Navarro tends to be kinda light and airey and plays from the higher registers and Peter White tends to be more in the lower registers with more of a slow haunting thump thumpness. (yes, I am aware it is not a word...no judgement thanks). But it is the same instrument...they just take it different places with that soul...that inner spirit. It really is a beautiful thing.

So since this is a versus post, I am going to have to go with Peter White...for the Nylon String Guitar Battle

Sidenote: Is it not a beautiful thing when two of your favorite artists get together and play? My favorite pianist and my favorite saxophonist (Keiko Matsui and Paul Taylor) used to play together. Better yet, Paul Taylor was Keiko Matsui's saxophonist, which probably explains why I like a lot of her music. The mix of the two styles is just superb...words cant even describe it.

Summer's End

I believe I have a post here somewhere giving praise to that which is known as Paul Taylor. But COME ON! He has done it yet again. YET AGAIN. Yes, I know that the Ladies Choice album came out in May, but I am a bit late as Rhapsody does not have it yet which is inappropriate in and of itself, but that is neither here nor there.

The point of this is to say that the track Summer's End is hot business. I mean serious "hot fyah". I usually am not a fan of the Soprano Sax, but Summer's End makes Soprano Sax hot where as Kenny G. really did take that fire away. He completely like watered that ish down. If there are any Kenny G. fans I am offending, I do apologize, but it is what it is. Or maybe it is Kenny G.'s lack of production that just makes his music sound so blah blah bubblegum to me. But somehow, all that is Paul Taylor puts that soul and feeling back into the Soprano Sax, seriously. It is really something when it's like 80 degrees outside, but you turn that track on and get chills. Can you do that Sir Kenny G.? I'm just asking.

Keiko Matsui

is the best pianist ever (sorry Philippe Saisse, your title has been recended... you now get 2nd place). Before I listened to her Wildflower CD, Philippe Saisse was in first and she was in second, but this CD is just amazing to listen to. There are so many levels of feeling in her pieces...i mean layers upon layers. The songs are the kind where you can listen to a song 5 different times and concentrate on 5 different elements and get 5 different feelings. My favorite songs are Flashback, Eldest of All, Facing Up, and Reflections.



I was listening to Eldest ofAll today and if vaugly reminds me of the culmination of excitement in an epic Movie when someone is victorious and is standing ontop of a mountain top. Just strong emotion. I just got chills eating my Burger King.



But seriously though.... she has 10 plus albums and all have a different feel but still manage to keep that Keiko Matsui vibe. She's just freaking great.

The Way You Move

MAN! I didn't think it possible... but the cover version of Outkast's "The Way You Move" is quite possibly hotter than the original. Kenny G and Earth Wind and Fire just blew this song up in the best possible way. And I can't believe I heard it for the first time today when it came out in 2005. What is up with that?

And Kenny G. actually sounds rather good in this song. I usually don't like his style... as a matter of fact, I could say that I hate it. It is just to lovey-dovey la la la with no soul. Saxophone to me should have soul at all times. It is just a must. Kenny G. just be looking like he never tips the sax up... just never. But on this song, he got the soul part and everything. And Maurice White's part at the end was nice... didn't so much like Philip Bailey's part. His voice just can't do what it used to... but Maurice's can.

Anyway, if you like Smooth Jazz or "The Way You Move", check it out.

Um, Yeah, What?

So why is there a song by guitarist Paul Brown called, "The Rhythm Method"? Seriously though. I don't understand why he titled a song after a method of birth control? I wonder what he was thinking about when titling the song... like what was going through his mind. The song doesn't even have sexy undertones or anything... it actually is really good driving music... so I am really not understanding why he decided to name his song after some birth control.

Rise

No, this is not a post about rising above oppression (although we must... lol) and this is not a post about the independent movie by Dave LaChapelle about LA krump dancing. This is about the song by the great trumpet player Herb Alpert.

This song is an absolute classic right here.... almost as much as Quincy Jones', "Tell Me A Bedtime Story". Biggie actually sampled HEAVY from this song for, "Hypnotize". The entire bassline actually. If that doesn't jog your memory... then it is the "Laura and Luke" song... I shouldn't have to explain anymore than that.

This saxophonist did a cover of it in 1998.. Leo Gandelman. He did it with this kinda party Brazilian flair and it is absolutely hotness. I've heard it before, but I could never find out who made it. But thanks to my nifty new radio, it tells who the artist is. I was just listening to KKSF on my way home from work and I heard it... GREATNESS. Not the same as Herb Alpert's, but it is still VERY good.

I always wonder why this song doesn't get any play. It's not on Rhapsody nor iTunes. Is it BECAUSE it is the "Laura and Luke" song and there might be some negative feelings attached to it? I just don't get it, this song has so much attitude and funk it's not funny.

'Round Midnight

Round Midnight, originally done by Thelonius Monk, is by far (in my humble opinion), the best jazz track ever to be laid down. Why? It isn't too complication in the fact that so many different instruments are going on, but it is still carries very complicated melodies.

The best version is MOS DEF Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants version. The Modern Jazz Giants combines my three favorite Jazz artists; John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Thelonius Monk himself. This version is just plain and simply sexy. That is the only word that I can use to describe it. It has a very high class sound to it that reminds me of old time clubs where people would dress up to the nines and stuff. Just straight class... that is what I imagine whenever I hear this song.

It is just absolutely beautiful.

Four Hands?

Man, I am on a roll today. My arm and head were hurting so I took a Tylenol PM and I am soooo sleepy, but it is also like I can't go to sleep right now.

So I am listening to Keiko Matsui and Bob James', "Altair and Vega". "Altair and Vega" is done using four hand piano which is an interesting style. It's crazy to hear two pianists of that quality doing a beautiful pieces like this and KNOWING that they are using the same piano, at the same time. This effect can be achieved through special effects and things of that nature, but knowing that these two are playing this together at the same time is something special.

The piano is not a big instrument (well it is, but not when two people are using it), so it is amazing that they are producing this piece. The way they are melding together is absolutely amazing.

Transport

I was in my car, sitting outside of Circuit City last Sunday and I was listen to 103.7. On Sunday morning, they switch the music to New Age as opposed to Jazz. Anyhoo, I was listening to it, and I heard this song that sounded kind of familiar. As I am listening to it... I suddenly remember where I heard this song... it was in FIFTH grade. We used to have quiet reading time, everyday for about an hour and my teacher would play this mixed CD of New Age music so we would be able to better concentrate. What is really wierd about this, is that I when I hear the song, I mentally went back to the BOOK I was reading... Where The Red Fern Grows.

WIERD.

Anyway, it is a really nice song, George Winston, "Thanksgiving". Very relaxing.