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[J21]Jazz Music For Saxophone

by Clyde Lee Dennis, Cly

The exceptionally talented Jazz artist Keiko Matsui has released her CD entitled Wildflower. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Keiko Matsui fans, and Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Wildflower Keiko Matsui's artistic excellence is on full display as Matsui has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be her best work to date.

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.

Keiko Matsui is one of those musicians that has the ability to just win you over with her talent. The kind of artist it's really a treat to be able to listen to.

Jazz music fans will recognize some of the well known guests that have been assembled to play along with Matsui on several of the tracks. Artists like Kazu Matsui and Akira Jimbo just to name a couple.

Overall Wildflower 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 Jazz collection. Truly an outstanding Jazz CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

I'm of the opinion that Wildflower is certainly Keiko Matsui's best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it's a collection that even the casual Jazz fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Facing Up, track 4 - Brand New Wind, and track 8 - Temple Of Life.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 10 - Stone Circle. Good stuff!

Wildflower Release Notes:

Keiko Matsui originally released Wildflower on Feb 24, 2004 on the Narada label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Flashback 2. Facing Up 3. Sense Of A Journey 4. Brand New Wind 5. Eldest Of All 6. Reflections 7. White Castle 8. Temple Of Life 9. Seeker 10. Stone Circle 11. Wildflower

Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Shinobu Ishizaki, Masamichi Nanji (soprano saxophone); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Tomohito Aoki (bass); Akira Jimbo (drums, percussion). Recorded at Sound Dali, Yamaha Ikebukuro, H.Y., Planet Joy Studios, Tokyo, Japan in 2003.

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.

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Both Clyde Lee Dennis & Clyde L Dennis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Clyde Lee Dennis has sinced written about articles on various topics from CD Review, Keyboard Synthesizer and CD Review. Clyde Lee Dennis does music reviews for and also contributes to the stations news website. Clyde Lee Dennis's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.

Clyde L Dennis has sinced written about articles on various topics from CD Review, Music and Keyboard Synthesizer. Clyde Lee Dennis does music reviews for and also contributes to the stations news website. Clyde L Dennis's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.