| Smooth Jazz |
This album marks the beginning of our collaboration with our new partner, Shanachie, which is the leading record label in the smooth jazz genre. And if I chose to start with the BPM album, it’s simply because two of the artists featured on this album are ones we have reviewed. Of course, there’s bassist Brian Bromberg, whose personal works are in the catalog of our friends at Mack Avenue (see here), and guitarist Paul Brown, along with the equally excellent saxophonist, Michael Paulo. Naturally, this album stands out, as these three musicians have had absolutely impressive careers and experience. Brian Bromberg has played both on the jazz and smooth jazz scenes for many years and has contributed to numerous hits. His biography details his outstanding collaborations (see here). We know Paul Brown not only for his magnificent solo albums but also for his collaborations with Larry Carlton, Al Jarreau, Dave Koz, and many others. However, this is the first time we have an album featuring one of my favorite saxophonists, Michael Paulo, who has also shared the stage with Al Jarreau, James Ingram, Rick Braun, and the list goes on…
On “Seriously,” the most impressive aspect is certainly the great cohesion of this trio, which is naturally due to their shared experiences with the artists they have accompanied. But it’s also thanks to their quality as composers and arrangers. So much so that this album goes well beyond the smooth jazz category. There are hints of funk, more traditional jazz, and that particular melodic care that makes a great smooth jazz album, which, whether you listen to it in the middle of winter or summer, fills your head with sunshine. The track “Seriously,” which gives the album its name, perfectly demonstrates what I’ve just described. These three artists have fun entertaining us, sometimes with simple melodies, sometimes with much more complex pieces, but where their immense talent is most noticeable is in the arrangements. The number of production tricks, perfectly replicable on stage, is just astounding. I had never imagined seeing these three artists together, but I must admit, the result is truly impressive.
Between the mid and late 70s, Michael Paulo had the chance to work with Herbie Hancock, something only those closely following the jazz world news know. In my opinion, this is where Michael Paulo found inspiration for his other creations, and the result can still be heard here. Brian Bromberg, whose albums I’ve always enjoyed, has also impressed me on other albums he’s played on, finding here, too, with his two companions, a playground for other equally sublime explorations, at times even subliminal. Because yes, on this album, beyond talent and expertise, there’s a hefty dose of magic and even a reflection on what smooth jazz is today. The art of composition isn’t simple, especially when you add in the codes of this musical genre and incorporate so many ideas from jazz or jazz fusion. What we see is a balancing act that only three brilliant musicians could pull off flawlessly. Needless to say, it’s with joy that we place this album in the “Essential” category, as there is enough here to satisfy many hearts in love with beautiful music…
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 2nd 2024
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