Best Smooth Jazz song of '09 (so far)

[majaman78]

has got to be David Boswell's "I Like That"

I first heard it played on WEIB FM 106.3 in Northampton MA at 2:00 in the morning a few weeks ago when vistiting CT, and it literally kept me up the rest of the night going over and over in my head.

Later that morning I called the station to find out what the Pat Metheny Group selection they had played earlier....but it wasn't Metheny, it was David Boswell. ???

Where did this guy come from? Wow.

The title song is both majestic and moving, so much so that I really couldn't talk after hearing it the first few times. Just a sensational piece of guitar work. I haven't yet checked out the rest of the CD, but if the title cut is any indication this might be the best new SJ artist I have come across the last decade.

Pat Metheny fans should take a listen to a great song THAT CRAPPY BA WOULD NEVER TOUCH. This is smooth jazz at its best.

Put this down as my pick as best Smooth Jazz song for 2009. I know I won't hear a better one from here on out. (the full length version, not the radio edit which is good but not as great as the full length version).

 

[AC Tones]

The Boswell CD is fantastic. I have a number of his cuts in my weighted rotation (to include the title track). The Metheny influence is so prevalent you'd swear you were going back in time (i.e., Still Life Talking and Letter From Home) and listening to Metheny himself. For more of that vintage Metheny sound, also check out "Shake 'n Bake" and "Awaken the Gentle Giant." Definitely one of the best CDs to be recently released. I also like the Mark Barrios CD as well, as long as we are talking new guitarists on the scene.

Chris
wavjazz.net
"The .wav" Smooth Jazz @ LoudCity

 

[cklw800]

Both Boney James and Mark Barrios do a treatment of Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby" on their current releases. I like Barrios' best. Sweet guitar. The tunes West Tampa nad Bouncin' Back from his new CD stick in my head too.

Guitarist David Boswell is the son of pianist John Boswell, whose music I know best from the Windham Hill CDs of the early to mid 90s. John Boswell has an excellent reading of "The First Noel" from a holiday compilation CD from 1996. David Boswell sure does bring that Metheny feel and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. I like the tune "Did I Tell You" from David's new CD as well. Great music out there. Please keep bringing it to us! It's a new era for this music. AC, Nock, Harmonic. It'd be great to have all you guys on the same great radio station or network. How about the Nock-Harmonic Tones Cool Jazz Network? Add Another Cat to your lineup and I think we have something bigger than life.

 

[AC Tones]

AC, Nock, Harmonic. It'd be great to have all you guys on the same great radio station or network. How about the Nock-Harmonic Tones Cool Jazz Network?

As long as I get a state-of-the-art computer out of the deal to replace my existing eMachines dinosaur, I'M THERE! I'd hate to have to dust off the old Commodore Vic 20!!! ;D

 

[Nock]

The Future of Jazz is about to return to the airwaves of this part of the world on a much bigger signal. Also has a nice stream. Vanderbilt Universities WRVU.

Stay tuned!

Nock

 

[AC Tones]

The Future of Jazz is about to return to the airwaves of this part of the world on a much bigger signal. Also has a nice stream. Vanderbilt Universities WRVU.

Stay tuned!

Nock

Congrats, brother. Best of luck to you! ;D

 

[AC Tones]

I love the David Boswell, Mark Barrios, and Nils CDs, and I think all are worthy of consideration for the best contemporary jazz guitar CD of the year so far. But IMO, Jay Soto's latest effort "Mesmerized" is at the head of the class right now. Fantastic upbeat vibe!!! God, it's great seeing artists crank out tremendous COMPLETE projects containing original cuts. It's a damn shame these guys and gals aren't getting the airplay they deserve. I cannot recall a time in recent memory when so many great efforts have been released in such a short period of time where this genre is concerned. And the terrible irony is that it comes at a time when contemporary jazz on terrestrial radio is heading towards extinction. :-\

Chris
wavjazz.net
"The .wav" Smooth Jazz @ LoudCity

 

[cklw800]

Excellent point, AC. There is a barrage of great new releases and it sounds like the artists are purposely veering away from being so careful and constrained with their music for the sake of BA airplay. I think they now know the way to go is Internet and they can get on without limits or other artistic restrictions. It is a terrible irony that this stuff is not getting on terrestrial but I'm glad your stations (AC, Nock, Harmonic and others) are cranking this out. I hope the artists benefit and keep going. I'm loving the music. Can't wait until Memorial Day weekend when I have some time off to listen to more of what I have. I'll be in the back yard with ribs, steaks (I worked some overtime at my non-radio job to make sure I could do it) and family with this music as the underscore for the entire weekend. I'll have it on my iPod and plugged into speakers sitting on the deck. It's going to be like the old days of listening to great radio on holiday weekends, except the personality will come from the folks who ask about the music and me telling them where they can get it and hear more of it. I'll be shamelessly plugging you guys. My favorite best new songs: Title track from Pieces of A Dream's "Soul Intent" (Still loving 'Vision Accomplished' though) and "Paris Groove" from the Rippington's latest. The Weather Channel CDs give me my golds and recurrents. A fantastic way to enjoy music. Either Internet or just program it for yourself at home! Yes, it costs but I'll mow lawns to keep doing it.