Legendary Jazz men George Benson & Al Jarreau are "Givin' It Up"

A few years ago I was listening to one of the jazz channels on iTunes radio and heard a song which caught my ear. After checking the play list I discovered who it was and immediately bought the album "Givin' It Up" by George Benson & Al Jarreau.

"Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Contemporary Jazz" are the 'labels' you'll see when looking it up on iTunes which I guess does give you the idea of what to expect from this album.  Thirteen tracks including classics like "Breezin'", "Summer Breeze", "God Bless The Child", "Bring It On Home To Me" (featuring Paul McCartney) and "Long Come Tutu" (from the Miles Davis original "Tutu", which features Herbie Hancock). Other artists featured on the album are Patti Austin and Jill Scott.
My faves from this album are track 2 "Mornin" and track 3 "Long Come Tutu". I really admire how Al Jarreau write lyrics for songs that originally did not have lyrics and still keep the integrity of the melody and maintain the concept of how the song was composed from the beginning.

And Benson is just that Benson himself. With his smooth vocals and awesome guitar licks & solos, who could ask for a better collaboration? Two Legendary Jazz men still at the top of their game.

This is one sure album for all Jazz lovers to check out in my opinion.

Here they are performing "Summer Breeze"




Have A Great Day 

A Very Special Christmas

Tis the season to be jolly, merry, happy etc. And there's nothing like some good music to set the tone for great feelings and emotions. Christmas is a few days away and I remember some twenty years ago, maybe more, I discovered an album which to this date is my favorite album for the season - A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1  (Various Artists)

I listened to this album even when it wasn't Christmas time LOL. Fifteen great songs for the season from hip hop to classic ballads. The album features artists such as Whitney Huston, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Pointer Sisters and a slew of other great artists. I particularly loved Run-DMC's track "Christmas In Hollis", classic hip hop on an Xmas tune - GOOD STUFF!

 "A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1" was the first in a series of Christmas-themed compilation albums produced to benefit the Special Olympics for which it raised millions of dollars.

If you like classic Christmas songs mixed with hip hop and other popular styles/genres from the late 80's this is another great album for you to check out in my opinion.

Here's Run DMC's song "Christmas In Hollis"


Have A Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

The Only True Genius In Show Business: Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company

I've come to realize that in this world greatness is often overlooked until the ones deserving of those praises have passed away. I've seen it happen to artists all the time, never getting the true recognition and being able to enjoy the fruits of their labor in the realm of the living.
Though Ray Charles had a successful career and was a celebrated artist, I, myself wasn't aware of his true greatness nor was I even fully exposed to his music until his passing in June 2004, then I bought his album that was released shortly after - "Genius Loves Company".

I'm sure most of us saw the movie "Ray" which showed us bits and pieces of the life of this great artist and being the man he was, no wonder all the artists who collaborated with him on this project gave their time, energy and shared each of their wonderful talent on this album with Ray Charles.
"Genius Loves Company" features Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Elton John, B.B. King and a host of other artists who are also great artists in their own right.
Twelve songs produced and arranged perfectly, consisting of R&B, Pop, Country & Blues standards that went on to winning a total of eight Grammy Awards including 'Album of the year' and 'Record of the year' at the 2005 Ceremony. I totally love this album in it's entirety but my only disappointment was that there were no original songs from Charles in the collection.  My favorite song on this album is track 4 (Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word) which features Elton John. Maybe it's the guitar solo,  maybe it just touches something deep inside me, I really don't know.  But this album takes you on a wonderful journey in different genres and the contrast between the guest artists and Ray Charles' vocals just makes this record delightfully intriguing. "Genius Loves Company" is an album you should definitely check out in my opinion.

Here's a behind the scenes look into this album




Have A Great Day!!

My Dream Project: Emotion & Commotion - Jeff Beck

Every artist has an ideal project/album envisioned for themselves, an album that defines their work, an album that puts them in the history books. Jeff Beck has already been written in our history as a master guitarist, so this is the kind of project I would love to do which I think would define my own career - EMOTION & COMMOTION

First of all, if you know Jeff Beck you'll know he's not the traditional style kind of guitarist, and the emotion he creates is just awe-inspiring. Coming from a background with The Yardbirds like Eric Clapton & Jimmy Page, Beck is indeed another guitar legend from the UK.
Emotion & Commotion has 11 tracks with a mixture of originals and covers. My overall favorite on this album is the cover of "Over The Rainbow",  I was dumbfounded because I felt every emotion he expressed on his guitar and that's really a rare event for me. Two songs from the album won Grammy awards in 2011 "Nessun Dorma"(track 8) - 'Best Pop Instrumental Performance' and "Hammerhead" (track 2) - 'Best Rock Instrumental Performance'.  Guest artists appearing include Joss Stone & Olivia Safe.
This is a great album to listen, from orchestral sounds to rock, it is indeed "EMOTION & COMMOTION".


Here's Jeff performing "Over The Rainbow"

Have a great Day!

Jazz Artist Gets Nominated for 2012 Reggae Grammy: Monty Alexander - Stir It Up, The Music Of Bob Marley

The title of this blog is somewhat misleading because Jazz Pianist Monty Alexander was actually nominated this year for an album called "Harlem-Kingston Express" and not "Stir It Up"(released in 1999). But this nomination would probably not have been possible without the initial concept he presented on the album "Stir It Up - The Music Of Bob Marley"

Monty's history dates back to the early 60s where he performed with Jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Frank Sinatra, Milt Jackson & many more from that era. But being Jamaican, the music of our country runs deep in his veins and though an accomplished jazz pianist he has never turned his back on his own culture. This makes his playing and repertoire very unique.

He took a chance and experimented on an album where he covered some songs from the Legendary Bob Marley, fusing the genres of Jazz & Reggae to perfection in my book - he set up his jazz trio along with a four piece reggae band in the studio and hit the record button. Intertwining, alternating, fusing and just having plain fun. That's how it feels when I perform with him. Yes I've had the opportunity and it's awesome.

"Stir It Up - The Music Of Bob Marley" features thirteen songs a few of which are Monty Alexander originals. Marley classics include "No Woman No Cry", "Could You Be Loved", "Is This Love" & my favorite on the album "I Shot The Sheriff".

If you are an open-minded listener of music and you can appreciate great musicianship or just looking for something fresh and different, this is an album you should definitely check out.


Here's a video of him performing with an extended version of the ensemble

Muslims & Catholic Come Together In Hip-Hop: OUTLANDISH - "Closer Than Veins"

Browsing the racks of an apparel store in Dubai a few years ago I heard a song over the  PA that caught my attention so I inquired who it was and guy that worked in the store was able to tell me - OUTLANDISH. I looked them up online as I returned to the hotel and bought the album "Closer Than Veins". 

I had no knowledge of the groups background and being the way I am (usually I don't necessarily pay close attention to lyrical content), I didn't realize until about a year or so later that some of the songs, if not most of them had religious or spiritual foundations. This could be why this album resonated with me on a deeper level right away without me even realizing it.

The group consists of three members and is based in Denmark. Though from separate backgrounds (Moroccan - born in Denmark, Pakistani - born in Denmark & Cuban - born in Honduras) they seem to have found a formula that works. They classify the group as Hip-Hop, though I wouldn't agree, but I guess that's the "box" they'd fit in if they were to be put in one. What would I classify the group as, what box I'd put them in? None, because they actually fuse genres and cultures. I'd just say its GREAT MUSIC, but our industry has these "boxes" so Hip-Hop it is.

The album has 17 tracks some of which they show their bilingual ability. My favorite is still the first song that caught my ears in the store "Callin' U" even though there are a lot of other great songs like Track 2 -"Any Given Time", Track 3 -"Look Into My Eyes" & Track 8 - "Words Stuck To Heart".

What I like about this album is the difference in production as compared to the typical Western "pop, R&B, Hip-Hop" sound. They "hear" things differently in Europe, so they write, compose and produce music differently. It's not only about getting that "commercial" sound, and even if there's that "commercial" sound, there will be something of depth, something organic about the way it's produced and put together. And as I mentioned, you'd probably not realize the spiritual foundations right away in the lyrics.
 
So, another great album to check out in my opinion - OUTLANDISH - "Closer Than Veins"


Here's the song which caught my attention "Callin' U"






Thanks Have A Great Day!!

Jazzy, Soulful, Overdosed Addict - Amy Winehouse: Back To Black

Don't misunderstand or take the title of this blog out of context, just stating the facts. I love Amy Winehouse's music, her voice & delivery is one of a kind. This makes me wonder what drives these fairly young artists to become addicts and end their promising lives/careers before reaching thirty years old - Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Robert Johnson, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse and the list goes on. Check out this link - 27 Club

Anyhow back to my "Jazzy Addict". Amy has two albums that I know of, "Frank" & "Back To Black".  The latter is of course my favorite of the two.

I wasn't fond of the single "Rehab" but I got more interested in the album after doing a gig with an artist who played a cover of "Just Friends" (Track 4). When I heard that song and asked who sang it, I think I bought the album within a few days after that.
I had no idea of the style and versatility Amy Winehouse had on her record. I love how the entire record was produced as well. They went for a kind of old sound, yet, still contemporary.
The version of the album I got on iTunes has 12 tracks. Two of which are remixes of songs on the album (Rehab & You Know I'm No Good). So in essence there are ten songs on the album but I read that on the UK release there was another song - "Addicted". This was included as a bonus track in other regions .....must be after I bought it because I'm not familiar with that song. 
My favorite songs on "Back To Black" are "Just Friends", "Love Is A Losing Game" & "Me & Mr Jones". I must warn you though, expect some profanity (specifically on "Me & Mr Jones").

All in all this is a great album to check out, I love it and hope you'll find some great songs here that you'll like also. Check it out on iTunes  - BACK TO BLACK


And just as a treat my fav "Just Friends"

And a duet with Tony Bennett - "Body & Soul"

 Thanks, Have A Great Day!

Sensual, Sexual Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope

Fifteen years ago Janet Jackson released an album which I think shocked everyone including me.
I don't think most people knew that she could be so openly sexual or sensual.  Don't get me wrong, she is a very beautiful woman and does have sex appeal but who would have thought she would unleash it all (or at least as much as she wanted to share) on her album - The Velvet Rope.

This is my favorite album by Janet to date. Her work before and after this is also good, but I usually only have a few songs on each of those records that I like. This one however, for some reason, I love all the songs.
From a production stand point Jam, Lewis & Jackson really did a great job (in my opinion of course).
The album has 22 tracks, seven of which are interludes. So that's 15 songs which in pure Jackson fashion has a great mixture of dance tunes, ballads and songs that make you say "what the!!??...let me hear that again"

I favor the title track more than any other but at the same time, thinking about it, I'm gonna start saying all the songs are my favorite LOL....
Anyhow, check out the videos.  THE VELVET ROPE is another album I think you should definitely check out (IMO).
Nuff Love to Ms Jackson I hope to do some work with her soon :-) 


The Velvet Rope on iTunes

Definitive, Timeless, Classic - John Mayer's "Continuum"

I've been a fan of John Mayer since "Room For Squares" in 2001, then came "Heavier Things" in 2003. All this time I was unaware that he played all those lead guitar parts on his records (yeah, I don't read liner notes/credits much).

In 2006 he released "Continuum", this is when I realized the kind of guitar player & song writer John Mayer really is.

Twelve songs excellently written and produced, embellished with guitar licks that would put him in the league of Hendrix, Clapton, Vaughan & any other legendary blues artist you can think of.
My fav song on this album would be track 4 "Gravity", then a close runner up would be the last track "I'm Gonna Find Another You".
I'd recommend this album to any serious collector of music who favors good songwriting & excellent musicianship.  "Continuum" is a definite album for you to check out in my opinion.

Here's a performance of the single "Gravity"



Thanks,
Have a great day!

Marley Still Reigns In Reggae

The name Marley is without a doubt tied, married or intertwined even, to the genre Reggae. Usually when I meet someone and they ask "what kind kind of music do you play?" and I say Reggae, the next thing they say is "Bob Marley, yeah!".

Even though Bob passed away about thirty years ago, his legacy still lives on in his music and in his offspring who set out to carry on the work of their father.

Stephen Marley won the Grammy for best reggae album in 2008, 2010 & 2012 for his solo projects "Mind Control", "Mind Control Acoustic" and "Revelation, Pt 1: The Root Of Life" respectively. 

Which of these would be my choice for you  to check out?

Revelation, Pt. 1: The Root of Life

In my opinion this is one of the best Reggae albums released within the past 5 or so years. The production is excellent, choice of songs are great and the delivery from the artist is superb. Fourteen tracks coming at you in authentic fashion, with a few exceptions/fusions. The album has colabs with brothers Damian (Jr Gong) and Ziggy as well as popular Jamaican DJs Capleton, Buju Banton & Spragga Benz.

My favorite track however features Canadian R&B recording artist Melanie Fiona - "No Cigarette Smoking (In My Room)". Classic "get high and/or make love" Reggae music. This album is a definite one you should check out.

Revelation, Pt. 1: The Root of Life

Thanks, Have a great day

Regge Crosses The Atlantic plants Seeed & Presents DELLE'S "Before I Grow Old"

This week's album comes from clear across the Atlantic, an unlikely place one would find a Reggae album. But this genre can now be heard all across the globe in cultures you'd least expect.

"Before I Grow Old" is an album by Delle, formerly from the group Seeed - a German Reggae/Dancehall band from Berlin founded in 1998.

The album was introduced to me by a fellow musician and I immediately favored the production and choice of songs.  Eighteen tracks, four of which are alternate mixes of other songs on the album, all of which I think keeps you interested in what's coming next.

To hear a foreigner reproduce Reggae and take the production to the highest level in my opinion is really commendable. Mind you, its a mixture of Reggae and pop somewhat, so don't expect to hear an album similar to Bob Marley's "Legend".

I checked online,  and though you may not find it on iTunes or Amazon its available at musicmp3.ru

This blog is in no way a review of this or any other album I may post. Its just my way of sharing with you some of the music enjoy listening to.

Thanks, have a great day!

Introduction & Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection

Hi I'm Robert Browne otherwise known as "Dubwise", Jamaican guitarist, record producer and instrumental artist. I've been in the music business a while now recording & performing all over the world with various artists in different genres. Although Reggae is primarily the the style of music I play and produce, I do go out of my "zone" from time to time if the need, situation or inspiration arises.

This blog isn't about me however, its about the "Great Albums You Should Check Out - in my opinion". You see, there is already a vast ocean of music out there. And yet, music is still being made everyday. If you're tuned in to what's going on  then you'll be in the "now", if not then you'll be in your own little world of what you like or what you're exposed to by friends, family, a store radio, an elevator etc.  Still there will be tons and tons of songs you'll never know - songs/albums that are released but still don't see the light of day because of whatever reason ...be it lack of marketing  and promotion or its way ahead of its time (hey, that's possible).

So with my blog I'm gonna "expose" some albums that I think are really great. Again, these are albums that I like, that I've listened. People might say "hey, what about The Beatles' Abbey Road?" But hey, if I don't think its a great album, that's my opinion (not saying Abbey Road is or isn't a great album).
I'm not focusing on indie albums it's right across the board, if I like it and think it's great I'll mention it - From Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to Vincent Van Go Go's "Do You Know" (you don't know the latter do you?..that's my point:)

So I'll be posting an album weekly for you to check out and I hope this exposes you to some new music or reacquaint you with some of your favs.

Thanks


First up

Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection    

I've had this album a long time now, a double CD set. Of course it's been uploaded into my iTunes library by now.

Great album. If you're a Hendrix fan I'm sure you have this one. 31 Songs total: Disc 1 has recordings from "Purple Haze" to "3rd Stone From The Sun" and Disc 2 has live versions of 12 Hendrix classics including "Purple Haze" & "Red House". Interestingly though I checked iTunes online and "3rd Stone From The Sun" isn't on the online release. Guess you'd have to get that one on "Are You Experienced".

Click the iTunes link below to check it out.... Do Enjoy!



iTunes - Music - Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Colletion


Thanks, have a great day!