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A question for smooth jazz fans?

C

canadiens53

Guest
As someone who has listened to smooth jazz since the early 90's, I was wondering. Have been frustrated by the lack of committment to the format by the suits in radio. Living in Boston metro, I am totally appalled by no station here.
Happy to have the internet and all that it has to offer.
Am particularly interested and very much enjoy listening to Chiil Music on Blu 102.9 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Great mix of music to listen. My adult son suggested it to me as he was getting tired of smooth jazz on the satellite. I now listen to Blu whenever I can.
Check it out.
 
> As someone who has listened to smooth jazz since the early
> 90's, I was wondering. Have been frustrated by the lack of
> committment to the format by the suits in radio. Living in
> Boston metro, I am totally appalled by no station here.
> Happy to have the internet and all that it has to offer.
> Am particularly interested and very much enjoy listening to
> Chiil Music on Blu 102.9 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Great
> mix of music to listen. My adult son suggested it to me as
> he was getting tired of smooth jazz on the satellite. I now
> listen to Blu whenever I can.
> Check it out.
>
Hey, fellow SJ fan! I feel your pain on the lack of commitment to the music by the higher-ups at radio stations that play the music. Songs that are called "new" have been out for months and by now you would think another cut would be coming out. By the time a second song from a CD "comes out" (can't say they're singles, but whatever the cut the record label says the radio should play), I've lost interest and have gotten into a newer release. But I have bought so many of the CDs from hearing the "hit" and have found I've fallen in love with the artist because of the OTHER songs on the CD. Like Brian Simpson. I love "It Could Happen" and one other song (can't remember right now) but I wouldn't know them had I not heard "It's All Good" on the radio. But the other two songs I would crank up now if I heard them on the radio and skip "It's All Good" because it's old now (to me).

I hope they change the focus and get more into instrumental music and stop trying to compete with AC or luring AC fans to listen. But I did read that one firm consults most of the SJ stations now, which explains why all the websites look the same and the music playlists on their sites. Contests are the same too.
 
> > As someone who has listened to smooth jazz since the early
>
> > 90's, I was wondering. Have been frustrated by the lack of
>
> > committment to the format by the suits in radio. Living in
>
> > Boston metro, I am totally appalled by no station here.
> > Happy to have the internet and all that it has to offer.
> > Am particularly interested and very much enjoy listening
> to
> > Chiil Music on Blu 102.9 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Great
> > mix of music to listen. My adult son suggested it to me as
>
> > he was getting tired of smooth jazz on the satellite. I
> now
> > listen to Blu whenever I can.
> > Check it out.
> >
> Hey, fellow SJ fan! I feel your pain on the lack of
> commitment to the music by the higher-ups at radio stations
> that play the music. Songs that are called "new" have been
> out for months and by now you would think another cut would
> be coming out. By the time a second song from a CD "comes
> out" (can't say they're singles, but whatever the cut the
> record label says the radio should play), I've lost interest
> and have gotten into a newer release. But I have bought so
> many of the CDs from hearing the "hit" and have found I've
> fallen in love with the artist because of the OTHER songs on
> the CD. Like Brian Simpson. I love "It Could Happen" and
> one other song (can't remember right now) but I wouldn't
> know them had I not heard "It's All Good" on the radio. But
> the other two songs I would crank up now if I heard them on
> the radio and skip "It's All Good" because it's old now (to
> me).
>
> I hope they change the focus and get more into instrumental
> music and stop trying to compete with AC or luring AC fans
> to listen. But I did read that one firm consults most of
> the SJ stations now, which explains why all the websites
> look the same and the music playlists on their sites.
> Contests are the same too.
>
Speaking of new music, Go pick up the new Bonafide. I agree with the satellite comment. My XM is off more than it is on. Can't say the same for my ipod.

Nock
 
> I agree with the satellite comment. My XM is off more than it
> is on.
>
> Nock
>
Agreed that more tracks need to be picked quicker. Just look at the current chart and see how old some of those already are.
My two cents though on XM; I'm listening to Watercolors a lot more then I was to radio or most internet stations. I like contemporary jazz and the depth of the Watercolors library is more of what I want to hear. Smooth Jazz as a format is getting annoying thanks to the vocal selections and limited jazz tracks. XM's the best investment I have made in a long time.
 
> Hey, fellow SJ fan! I feel your pain on the lack of
> commitment to the music by the higher-ups at radio stations
> that play the music. Songs that are called "new" have been
> out for months and by now you would think another cut would
> be coming out. By the time a second song from a CD "comes
> out" (can't say they're singles, but whatever the cut the
> record label says the radio should play), I've lost interest
> and have gotten into a newer release. But I have bought so
> many of the CDs from hearing the "hit" and have found I've
> fallen in love with the artist because of the OTHER songs on
> the CD. Like Brian Simpson. I love "It Could Happen" and
> one other song (can't remember right now) but I wouldn't
> know them had I not heard "It's All Good" on the radio. But
> the other two songs I would crank up now if I heard them on
> the radio and skip "It's All Good" because it's old now (to
> me).


I heard a terrible use of the "new music" concept today on Sirius' Jazz Cafe. It's "New Music Tuesday" and Deborah Howell introduced as brand new "Moon Glide" from Praful's Pyramid In Your Backyard CD. The odd thing is they've been playing the track since at least May of this year. I know the stream is voice tracked, but she must have known that it was already on their playlist.

You're right. The playlists are getting stale. (Not to mention "urbanized". It sounds more like smooth R&B these days.) And they play way too much music that just doesn't fit the format.

EG
 
> I haven't had a chance to hear much smooth jazz radio for about a month. They don't come in too strong here but I hear it a lot when I go to Mansfield and Cleveland. The one from Richwood comes in real clear and right after that the one in Cleveland comes in real good. I can't say I know about radio programming as much as you guys do but I kind of get it that they want to get a big audience so all that different kind of music plays. I always thought SJ was urban oriented so I'm not surprised by the music I hear.


> Hey, fellow SJ fan! I feel your pain on the lack of
> > commitment to the music by the higher-ups at radio
> stations
> > that play the music. Songs that are called "new" have
> been
> > out for months and by now you would think another cut
> would
> > be coming out. By the time a second song from a CD "comes
>
> > out" (can't say they're singles, but whatever the cut the
> > record label says the radio should play), I've lost
> interest
> > and have gotten into a newer release. But I have bought
> so
> > many of the CDs from hearing the "hit" and have found I've
>
> > fallen in love with the artist because of the OTHER songs
> on
> > the CD. Like Brian Simpson. I love "It Could Happen" and
>
> > one other song (can't remember right now) but I wouldn't
> > know them had I not heard "It's All Good" on the radio.
> But
> > the other two songs I would crank up now if I heard them
> on
> > the radio and skip "It's All Good" because it's old now
> (to
> > me).
>
>
> I heard a terrible use of the "new music" concept today on
> Sirius' Jazz Cafe. It's "New Music Tuesday" and Deborah
> Howell introduced as brand new "Moon Glide" from Praful's
> Pyramid In Your Backyard CD. The odd thing is they've been
> playing the track since at least May of this year. I know
> the stream is voice tracked, but she must have known that it
> was already on their playlist.
>
> You're right. The playlists are getting stale. (Not to
> mention "urbanized". It sounds more like smooth R&B these
> days.) And they play way too much music that just doesn't
> fit the format.
>
> EG
>
 
In the beginning, back in the early 90's when KTWV launched the format, it was a "suburban" format. Included were artists like Enya, Lanz/Speer, George Winston, Yanni and the like. Vocals came from Adult Alternative that fit. Then someone got the idea to drop the New Age artists, dump all the white singers and go R&B with every other song an instrumental.

My inital love for the format has dropped significantly.


> > I haven't had a chance to hear much smooth jazz radio for
> about a month. They don't come in too strong here but I
> hear it a lot when I go to Mansfield and Cleveland. The one
> from Richwood comes in real clear and right after that the
> one in Cleveland comes in real good. I can't say I know
> about radio programming as much as you guys do but I kind of
> get it that they want to get a big audience so all that
> different kind of music plays. I always thought SJ was
> urban oriented so I'm not surprised by the music I hear.
>
>
> > Hey, fellow SJ fan! I feel your pain on the lack of
> > > commitment to the music by the higher-ups at radio
> > stations
> > > that play the music. Songs that are called "new" have
> > been
> > > out for months and by now you would think another cut
> > would
> > > be coming out. By the time a second song from a CD
> "comes
> >
> > > out" (can't say they're singles, but whatever the cut
> the
> > > record label says the radio should play), I've lost
> > interest
> > > and have gotten into a newer release. But I have bought
>
> > so
> > > many of the CDs from hearing the "hit" and have found
> I've
> >
> > > fallen in love with the artist because of the OTHER
> songs
> > on
> > > the CD. Like Brian Simpson. I love "It Could Happen"
> and
> >
> > > one other song (can't remember right now) but I wouldn't
>
> > > know them had I not heard "It's All Good" on the radio.
> > But
> > > the other two songs I would crank up now if I heard them
>
> > on
> > > the radio and skip "It's All Good" because it's old now
> > (to
> > > me).
> >
> >
> > I heard a terrible use of the "new music" concept today on
>
> > Sirius' Jazz Cafe. It's "New Music Tuesday" and Deborah
> > Howell introduced as brand new "Moon Glide" from Praful's
> > Pyramid In Your Backyard CD. The odd thing is they've been
>
> > playing the track since at least May of this year. I know
> > the stream is voice tracked, but she must have known that
> it
> > was already on their playlist.
> >
> > You're right. The playlists are getting stale. (Not to
> > mention "urbanized". It sounds more like smooth R&B these
> > days.) And they play way too much music that just doesn't
> > fit the format.
> >
> > EG
> >
>
 
> In the beginning, back in the early 90's when KTWV launched
> the format, it was a "suburban" format. Included were
> artists like Enya, Lanz/Speer, George Winston, Yanni and the
> like. Vocals came from Adult Alternative that fit. Then
> someone got the idea to drop the New Age artists, dump all
> the white singers and go R&B with every other song an
> instrumental.
>
> My inital love for the format has dropped significantly.
>
Totally agree with you Jim. I gave up on Smooth Jazz radio this year. Most of my time is now spent listening to Watercolors on XM. Reminds me of what the format should be.
 
> > In the beginning, back in the early 90's when KTWV
> launched
> > the format, it was a "suburban" format. Included were
> > artists like Enya, Lanz/Speer, George Winston, Yanni and
> the
> > like. Vocals came from Adult Alternative that fit. Then
> > someone got the idea to drop the New Age artists, dump all
>
> > the white singers and go R&B with every other song an
> > instrumental.
> >
> > My inital love for the format has dropped significantly.
>
> >
> Totally agree with you Jim. I gave up on Smooth Jazz radio
> this year. Most of my time is now spent listening to
> Watercolors on XM. Reminds me of what the format should be.
>

I have to agree with you guys, also. I first fell in love with the music in the late 80's with the old "Wave" service. However there hasn't been a smooth jazz outlet in my market in many years. This is why I decided to make the Sirius plunge. I chose Sirius because it was commercial-free, unlike XM at the time. But from what I've been hearing lately, I may have to switch to XM.

It's my understanding that Watercolors is more true to what the format was like in the 90's. The Jazz Cafe on Sirius sounds like what is available on the typical smooth jazz radio station these days - a LOT of vocals; tracks by Hall & Oates, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, and others that just don't belong. Can anyone confirm that Watercolors isn't like that? It would enough to make me change, I think.
 
> > > In the beginning, back in the early 90's when KTWV
> > launched
> > > the format, it was a "suburban" format. Included were
> > > artists like Enya, Lanz/Speer, George Winston, Yanni and
>
> > the
> > > like. Vocals came from Adult Alternative that fit.
> Then
> > > someone got the idea to drop the New Age artists, dump
> all
> >
> > > the white singers and go R&B with every other song an
> > > instrumental.
> > >
> > > My inital love for the format has dropped significantly.
>
> >
> > >
> > Totally agree with you Jim. I gave up on Smooth Jazz
> radio
> > this year. Most of my time is now spent listening to
> > Watercolors on XM. Reminds me of what the format should
> be.
> >
>
> I have to agree with you guys, also. I first fell in love
> with the music in the late 80's with the old "Wave" service.
> However there hasn't been a smooth jazz outlet in my market
> in many years. This is why I decided to make the Sirius
> plunge. I chose Sirius because it was commercial-free,
> unlike XM at the time. But from what I've been hearing
> lately, I may have to switch to XM.
>
> It's my understanding that Watercolors is more true to what
> the format was like in the 90's. The Jazz Cafe on Sirius
> sounds like what is available on the typical smooth jazz
> radio station these days - a LOT of vocals; tracks by Hall &
> Oates, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, and others that just don't
> belong. Can anyone confirm that Watercolors isn't like that?
> It would enough to make me change, I think.
>

Watercolors is not like that

Nock
 
> I have to agree with you guys, also. I first fell in love
> with the music in the late 80's with the old "Wave" service.
> However there hasn't been a smooth jazz outlet in my market
> in many years. This is why I decided to make the Sirius
> plunge. I chose Sirius because it was commercial-free,
> unlike XM at the time. But from what I've been hearing
> lately, I may have to switch to XM.
>
> It's my understanding that Watercolors is more true to what
> the format was like in the 90's. The Jazz Cafe on Sirius
> sounds like what is available on the typical smooth jazz
> radio station these days - a LOT of vocals; tracks by Hall &
> Oates, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, and others that just don't
> belong. Can anyone confirm that Watercolors isn't like that?
> It would enough to make me change, I think.
>
Watercolors is about 90% plus instrumental. They range from about 2-3 currents an hour to some really deep old tracks. Their library is quite extensive and they are more then eager to play album cuts. There isn’t much repetition; you might hear an old song once and never hear it again or not for several weeks.
As for vocals, they range from Jarreau to Randy Crawford to Maysa to Will Downing. No Hall & Oates or Marvin Gaye.
Watercolors is not only what you might remember contemporary jazz radio sounding like, but it’s also who the format should be done.
They were the main reason I chose XM over Sirius and I’m very happy with my choice. Lily and Trinity do an outstanding job of programming what I feel is the best contemporary jazz station I have heard yet.
Go to the website and sign up for the three day trial. You can listen then over the internet and see what you think of it before deciding.
 
> > I have to agree with you guys, also. I first fell in love
> > with the music in the late 80's with the old "Wave"
> service.
> > However there hasn't been a smooth jazz outlet in my
> market
> > in many years. This is why I decided to make the Sirius
> > plunge. I chose Sirius because it was commercial-free,
> > unlike XM at the time. But from what I've been hearing
> > lately, I may have to switch to XM.
> >
> > It's my understanding that Watercolors is more true to
> what
> > the format was like in the 90's. The Jazz Cafe on Sirius
> > sounds like what is available on the typical smooth jazz
> > radio station these days - a LOT of vocals; tracks by Hall
> &
> > Oates, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, and others that just don't
>
> > belong. Can anyone confirm that Watercolors isn't like
> that?
> > It would enough to make me change, I think.
> >
> Watercolors is about 90% plus instrumental. They range from
> about 2-3 currents an hour to some really deep old tracks.
> Their library is quite extensive and they are more then
> eager to play album cuts. There isn’t much repetition; you
> might hear an old song once and never hear it again or not
> for several weeks.
> As for vocals, they range from Jarreau to Randy Crawford to
> Maysa to Will Downing. No Hall & Oates or Marvin Gaye.
> Watercolors is not only what you might remember contemporary
> jazz radio sounding like, but it’s also who the format
> should be done.
> They were the main reason I chose XM over Sirius and I’m
> very happy with my choice. Lily and Trinity do an
> outstanding job of programming what I feel is the best
> contemporary jazz station I have heard yet.
> Go to the website and sign up for the three day trial. You
> can listen then over the internet and see what you think of
> it before deciding.
>


Thanks for the information. I'll try the free sample. I'm not giving up on Sirius entirely, my wife still has a radio in her car, but I'm really looking to replace their smooth jazz service.
 
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