Keiko Matsui Whisper From The Mirror Smooth Jazz Music CD Review
Very talented Smooth Jazz artist Keiko Matsui has released her latest album titled Whisper From The Mirror and Wow! It's good.
Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
The CD kicks off with a great track, Whisper From The Mirror, that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.
It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that’s exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn’t a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all. Every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.
Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors on the project including Kazu Matsui and Bob James plus a few other notables as well.
If you're even mildly into Smooth Jazz music you'll enjoy this album. Overall Whisper From The Mirror is an a great release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be disappointed with one single track. If you’re a Keiko Matsui fan, or just a fan of Smooth Jazz music this is a CD your collection simply should not be without.
Overall Whisper From The Mirror is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Smooth Jazz fan. Really spectacular from beginning to end.
While the entire album is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1 - Whisper From The Mirror, track 3 - Tears Of The Ocean, and track 6 - Torches On The Earth
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 4 - Between The Moons. Great track!
Whisper From The Mirror Release Notes:
Keiko Matsui originally released Whisper From The Mirror on Mar 27, 2001 on the Narada label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Whisper From The Mirror 2. Invisible Wing 3. Tears Of The Ocean 4. Between The Moons 5. Beyond The Light 6. Torches On The Earth 7. Dimensions 8. Savanna, No Problem 9. Midnight Stone 10. See You There 11. Ever After - (with Bob James) 12. Trees
Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Bob James (piano); Derek Nakamoto (synthesizer, programming). Recorded at Bindu Studio, Santa Monica, California and Remidi Studio, New York, New York.
Clyde Lee Dennis does music reviews for Houston Smooth Jazz Radio and also contributes to the
stations news website Houston eNewsBriefs where you'll find the latest news and information
on Houston International Airport
Kim Waters You Are My Lady Smooth Jazz Music CD Review
One word describes the CD You Are My Lady from Kim Waters... AWESOME!
Kim Waters has been a super star in the Smooth Jazz genre for quite a while now and You Are My Lady is an excellent illustration as to why.
The CD opens with an outstanding track, So Sick, that I suspect will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.
It's a rare day indeed that I get a CD from an artist that I can truthfully say does not have a bad track in the bunch. I'm more than happy to announce that's exactly what I must say about this one. There simply isn't a bad one in the bunch. No fillers here at all, with each song standing tall on it's own.
You Are My Lady has a pleasantly varied, mix of 10 tracks that are very well written songs by this clearly outstanding artist. With many of the songs displaying a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen. Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are him own real life experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions like love, heartbreak, pain, failed relationships and unattainable romance. They're all here.
One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you've got one of Mr. Waters most impressive releases ever.
This is a first rate CD, delivering a little something for everyone. I give it my highest recommendation. It's quite simply great listening. A must buy if you're even mildly into Smooth Jazz music.
Overall You Are My Lady is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Smooth Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Smooth Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.
Smooth Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors on the project including Lisa Fischer and Timmy Maia plus a few other notables as well.
While this entire CD is really very good the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Got To Give It Up, track 3 - The Closer I Get To You, and track 5 - Two Keys To My Heart.
My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7 - You Are My Lady. It's a great track!
You Are My Lady Release Notes:
Kim Waters originally released You Are My Lady on Mar 27, 2007 on the Shanachie label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. So Sick
2. Got To Give It Up
3. The Closer I Get To You - (with Lisa Fischer)
4. Flying High
5. Two Keys To My Heart
6. Secret Romance
7. You Are My Lady
8. East Coast Strollin'
9. Inseparable
10. I Want You Tonight
Personnel: Kim Waters (saxophone); Chris 'Big Dog' Davis (various instruments); 'Wa Wa' LeGrand, Wayne Bruce, Rhon Lawrence (guitar); Selena Gibbs, Timmy Maia (background vocals). Additional personnel: Lisa Fischer. Recording information: Big Dog, Waterbury, CT.
Clyde Lee Dennis does music reviews for Los Angeles Smooth Jazz Radio and also contributes to the stations news website Los Angeles eNewsBriefs where you'll find the latest news and information on Los Angeles attractions
Akon can touch your soul with his songs
What was I doing when I was 15? In school, playing childhood pranks with friends, cramming up books for examination purposes and in general being a normal 15-year old having fun in the game called life. While another 15 year old somewhere in the world was recording his first song ‘Operations of Nature’. Yes, I am talking about the popular artiste Akon who is not only a Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B singer and songwriter but also a record producer. Akon, who has taken the music world by storm with his album ‘Konvicted’ though that, has in no way diminished the popularity of his other songs and albums, made a strange beginning to his life. The journey of Akon from a regular teenager to an artiste of international fame has a moral for everyone. The most important lesson learned from his life is that talent finds its own way and helps you reach the pinnacle of success sooner or later.
Few people know that Akon is actually the shortest form of his real name that is actually Alioune Badara Thiam. Born to jazz percussionist Mor Thiam, Akon gave no indication of his approaching stardom even as a teenager when he was jailed for armed robbery and drug distribution charges. But the musical family background and the early indications through recording of first song at the age of fifteen laid the path to success. The stint in jail helped to change his approach to life and discover his true calling and it was behind the prison wall that Akon worked on his music. It also inspired his hit single ‘Locked Up’ that is still on the popularity of many music lovers. The single ‘Smack that’ from his album ‘Konvicted’ also earned Akon a Grammy nomination for the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. Akon has dedicated the album ‘Konvicted’ to his friend and manager Robert Montanez who was shot dead.
Akon has ventured out into the field of movies and fashion. He is planning to work on a full-length movie called ‘Illegal Alien’ that is based on some aspects of his life. Akon also launched his clothing line ‘Konvict Clothing’ that features urban streetwear like denims, hoodies, t-shirts and hats. Aliaune is the upscale version of this clothing line. Akon
has truly projected himself as a multi-dimensional artiste with many shades to his personality. However this also brings with it the danger of controversies and it is especially true for an artiste of his stature. Akon has been surrounded by criticisms and controversies from time to time and his earlier start as a criminal with a jail sentence to his name has done nothing to help matters. Early this year Akon drew a lot of flake from the moral police and advertisers regarding his raunchy dance in a Trinidad club with an under-age girl. True to his nature Akon apologized to the girl and Gwen Stefani, whose tour was also, affected due to this incident, through his newly released song, ‘Sorry, Blame It on Me.’
A singer, songwriter, producer who is also into fashion and movies – Akon truly is the epitome of success for many of his fans across the globe.
Tom Janison is a music fanatic. He loves downloading music of all his favorite artists. www.ez-tracks.com is one of his favorites sites for free music,Akon,Love Songs,free MP3 downloads and online music.
