All About Music

The exceptionally talented Philip Bailey has released his CD entitled Soul On Jazz. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Philip Bailey fans, and Smooth Jazz fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Soul On Jazz Philip Bailey’s artistic excellence is on full display as he has once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be his best work to date.

Philip Bailey has been a heavy hitter in the music industry for quite a while now and Soul On Jazz is an excellent illustration as to why.

Listen to Soul On Jazz and I believe you’ll find there’s not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired and the production is simply outstanding. If you’re even mildly into Soul or Jazz music you’ll enjoy this CD.

While the entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tracks are Dear Ruby [track 2], Bop-Skip Doodle [track 5], and Keep Your Head To The Sky [track 8].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. It’s a great track!

Soul On Jazz Release Notes:

Philip Bailey originally released Soul On Jazz on Apr 23, 2002 on the Heads Up Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. My Indiscretions

2. Dear Ruby

3. Compared To What

4. Nature Boy

5. Bop-Skip-Doodle

6. Unrestrained

7. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

8. Keep Your Head To The Sky

9. Sometime Ago

10. Tell Me A Bedtime Story

11. On The Red Clay

Personnel includes: Philip Bailey (vocals, timbales); Alan Burroughs (acoustic guitar); Mike “Dino” Cambell, John Hart (guitar); Myron McKinley (melodica, piano, keyboards); Bob Belden (soprano saxophone); Lou Marini (alto saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Scott Wendholt (trumpet); Scott Kinsey (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, programming); Ira Coleman (acoustic bass); David Dyson (bass); Billy Kilson (drums); Don Alias (congas, percussion); Daniel De Los Reyes (congas); DJ Smash (programming); David Whitworth, Charmaine Cousins, Billy Baker, Robert Brookins (background vocals). Producers: Bob Belden, Myron McKinley, Scott Kinsey, Philip Bailey. Recorded at Bennett Studios, Englewood, New Jersey.

By Tom Milson

Nils, the richly talented Smooth Jazz artist has released his latest CD titled Ready to Play and Wow! It’s good.

I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Ready to Play. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

For those not familiar with Nils, he plays a very smooth jazz guitar and like a lot of really good musicians has a sound that’s quite unique. I must admit I had somewhat limited exposure to him before breaking open this CD but that’s going to change after listening to this entire album a few times now.

Ready to Play has a nicely varied, mix of 12 very nicely done tracks that seem to kind of draw you in and make you want to listen to them.

Ready to Play is a first rate CD, and will play real well to the really smooth sound seeking smooth jazz fan. I give it two thumbs up. It’s quite simply great listening. A must buy for the Smooth Jazz fan.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1, Ready To Play, track 3 Catnap – Great Track, and track 9, Hi Five.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 6, You Gotta Be. Outstanding smooth jazz track!

Ready to Play Release Notes:

Nils originally released Ready to Play on January 23, 2007 on the Baja Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Ready To Play

2. Just Smile

3. Catnap

4. Midnight Breeze

5. Sunrise On Sunset

6. You Gotta Be

7. Dreamin’

8. My Girl

9. Hi Five

10. Only You

11. Hurry Up And Wait

12. Last Night

By Tom Milson