8 posts tagged “smooth jazz”
from my music blog
With a "Loud Talker" sitting behind me making my ear drums bleed, surrounded by bitter, unhappy co-workers. One could either;
(a) try to give advise
(b) ask to be moved to another area on the floor...like the janitor's closet
(c) go postal
(d)
pop in your earbuds (or in my case, put on noise canceling headphones)
and listen to some good music to get you through the day.
Since I love my freedom, I am married to a beautiful, intelligent queen and I love making money to buy wonderful things for my wife and myself and we enjoy traveling from time to time...I choose (d).
The albums I have chosen I may have posted tracks here and there on my blogs but when it comes to getting through the work week besides my netcasts I listen to everyday these smooth jams take me to another time and place while keeping me on point at work. It gets my creative juices flowing when posting to my blogs, when taking photographs or just lovin' life to the fullest.
I hope these selections will help you as well while at work dealing with the criminal insane aka your co-workers.
7 Must Have Smooth Jazz CDs on your mp3 player
1. Steely Dan...Two against Nature*
I
wonder why Steely Dan has always been categorized as a rock band
because they clearly sound like a jazz band to me. Listening to Fagen's
voice gives me peace, takes me to another time dimension while at the
same time long for an earlier time in my life. While sitting behind the
"Loud Talker" I'm able to tune her out completely because the
arrangements of the bass line, the horn arrangements makes this a fun
listen to get me through hours surrounded by unhappy, whining
housewives complaining about their husbands, the latest on Desperate
Housewives. Jack of Speed makes you close your eyes, enjoy the guitar
playing of Walter Becker, the horn sections, the smooth sounds makes me
wish I as on the open road with the car set on cruise control
.
2. Special EFX...Body Language*
As
my lovely wife calls this CD, "this is a driving to Chicago CD". I
found this little gem at a used CD store and is one of my all time
albums. I have followed Chieli and the late George Jinda for many
years. I was hooked on the duo
when I heard "The Flow"From beginning to end, every song makes you
smile, slump in your chair and just let enjoy what you are doing at
work while everyone around you is suffering in their own little hell.
3. Paul Taylor...Steppin' Out*
The sounds from Paul's
soprano sax will put you on Cloud 9. For me just hearing On the Move
puts me in the mind dancing with my wife and enjoying her presence.
This track alone you will play more than once just capture that feeling
of "not being there"...there I mean, not at work.
4. Kim Waters...Someone To Love You*
I
should be ashamed of myself. As wrote in an earlier post this gem I
have had on my external hard drive for about a year and never really
listen to and that's a shame. Thank you Jesus that my hard drive never
died on me because if it ever did I would have lost this treasure. One
thing I love about jazz is that most albums every track you enjoy, some
more than others but you get your money's worth and with this release
from Kim Waters you will not
be disappointed. I'm not going to lie, it was hard for me to choose
which songs to mention so my advise to you, get the CD.
5. Artie Traum...Acoustic Jazz Guitar*
You
may get tired of me mentioned this CD but I can't help it. I love the
blend of the Artie's guitar playing with the keyboards/piano
arrangements, the percussions. The blend of these musicians makes me
smile each time I hear this album(check out Quiet Volcano and you will
see why I boast on this CD)
I love the acoustic guitar and when it
is played with such love, it captures my attention with a quickness.
The very first CD I bought of Artie Traum
was at a flee market and I was hooked on his finger picking style.
Other players I could have put on this list(Will Ackerman, Alex de
Grassi, Govi) but I do not want you to get "too" relaxed. Artie has a
that "down home" playing style that makes you wish you were sitting on
a your house porch, with a pitcher of lemonade or whatever your
favorite drink watching the sunset on a cool Summer or brisk Autumn
evening.
6. Michael Franks...Blue Pacific*
If
you have followed my blog you know about me that Michael Franks is my
boy. I once heard Michael referred to as, "The Quiet Talker". His music
arrangements and his smooth, thoughtful, intelligent, sometimes mushy
lyrics has always captured my attention. I see why he captured his
wife's heart. I found out one of reasons his lyrics are so smooth and
thoughtful is that he was once a teacher. Every album from Michael
Franks has one theme...relaxation. Tropical scenes, lounging with that
special, even caught in the rain Mr. Franks makes it romantic, sexy,
erotic and exotic. This is one of my favorite albums because he takes
on a trip with Vincent Van Gogh, running the distance (he's a jogger),
painting the sky with beautiful colors this album makes you want to go
home and hug your love of your life because even after dealing with the
chaos at work his songs makes you appreciate what you have at home and
it makes you realize that you're only at work 8-9hours a day and you
don't have to deal with that mess 24/7.
7. Earl Klugh...Peculiar Situation*
To
hear Earl Klugh play is like hearing angels sing, to me that is how he
plays the acoustic guitar. I remember first hearing of Earl Klugh
when he teamed up with George Benson and I thought, "man, I didn't know
the acoustic guitar could sound so cool." This was one of the CD's I
let my wife to be borrow and she thanks me for bringing this kind of
music back into her life (and I bow). Listening to this album I can
tune out just about any non sense that is going on around me at work.
These track will make you meditate on what's important in life. For me
it's God's word, my wife, the friends I have made in Florida, in the
Vox community, life itself. I wish they would play music like this in
our workplace, maybe this will make people chill and relax. Wishful
thinking huh? Oh well, I can dream can't I? Well, at least I can listen
to it and his harmony builds a cocoon around my mind, my soul of sure
peace and tranquility.
Honorable Mention
Braxton Brothers...Now & Forever*
To
hear the sound of the bass guitar and sultry sounds of the saxophones
takes me back to when I was single, living in my one bedroom apartment,
relaxing on my couch and having Kenya(my grey/white tabby cat) chillin'
with me on a Saturday evening. Each of their songs takes you on a
relaxing drive through the park, the country side or just out doing
nothing. The twin brothers
from San Francisco have come a long way and their sound has matured
over which will be sweet to your ears while tuning out the chaos around
you.
Donald Fagen's Nightfly & Kamakiriad*
What I love about Donald Fagen's
albums are how nostalgic they make me feel. Nightfly & Kamakiriad
is how they take me on a journey into the future. Nightfly is the album
for daydreaming about how the future will be and Kamakiriad is showing
that the future is here and it's not so bad. I don't care what mood I'm
in at work whenever I hear I.G.Y. it makes me feel so good because it
reminds me on how much I love being a geek, love technology, IMs
friends, listening to Leo, Patrick, Amber and my boy Fave(put links by
each of their names). I may not have my flying car yet or my
"Kamakiriad" but this is next back thing It reminds me that even though
my co-workers are behind in the times but I'm Donald Fagen is keeping
on track to keep my eye on the future
Michael Franks...Passionfruit*
I
can't enough about this CD. To me every and I do mean EVERY track is a
classic. From "Amazon" to "How Does Your Garden Grow?" This was the
second LP I bought of Michael Franks
and I wore the cassette out (thank goodness I made copies of the
original and you know I had to buy the CD). To me, Marvin Gaye, Teddy,
Luther are true poets to me and Michael Franks is the "Blue eyed" poet
who's tracks flow one to another on this album. I have about 6 or 7 CDs
from him and it was hard for me not to put this in my top 7. For me,
Mr. Franks can do no wrong.
Will Downing/Gerald Albright...Pleasure of the Night*
What is there to say about these two gifted musicians but WOW! I love the voice of Will and the sax playing of Gerald
but to have them collaborated is a bonus. The vocal of Will on, "Stop,
Look, (Listen To your Heart), and Michelle (the classic song by The
Beatles) will make you sing along, will make fellows wish they could
sing that to their lady, will make ladies wish this was a song about
them. When I hear this I think of cool nights, seating on the patio
with my love and forgetting that I am at work sometimes. The
instrumental tracks is a major bonus on this CD I know you will sit
back and listen to time and time again.
Boney James...Body Language*
Before
she became my wife we dated for a while and this was my first CD I
bought her and I think that really made her fall in love with me. This
CD has to be one of best jazz albums out here. the first time I let my
buddy, Big Art listen to it the first thing that came out of his mouth
was, "this cat(Boney) had to
have hung around some brothas". This CD has done so much for me over
the years, help me win my wife, made fall in love the saxophone again.
To hear this CD while at work takes my mind completely off of my
surroundings, help me concentrate on my work and brings a smile to my
face at the same time.
Acoustic Alchemy...Back on the Case*
My first encounter with Acoustic Alchemy
was in the late 90s. I just moved to St. Louis working the very early
shift at Venture department store. While driving to work I heard the
song, "Overnight Sleeper" and I had to find out what person or group
was that. Later on I found out it was Acoustic Alchemy and the hunt was
on for the cassette. I did not get the album the first time around but
I finally got my hands on the album, "Natural Elements". The late Nick
Webb and Greg Carmichael, a duo out of England played the acoustic
guitars (see a theme with me) and their harmony blew me away. Fast
forward to this CD I pick for you to put on your mp3(Back on the Case)
is an album that once you hear you will thank me. Playing for Time,
Jamaica Heartbeat only will take you to another time and place but this
album has other tracks that will keep on track, get engulfed in they
rhythms and wish the CD will never end. The cool blend of their guitars
makes you smile, pause and thank God that He has given gifts like this
to musicians.
from my music blog
With a "Loud Talker" sitting behind me making my ear drums bleed, surrounded by bitter, unhappy co-workers. One could either;
(a) try to give advise
(b) ask to be moved to another area on the floor...like the janitor's closet
(c) go postal
(d)
pop in your earbuds (or in my case, put on noise canceling headphones)
and listen to some good music to get you through the day.
Since I love my freedom, I am married to a beautiful, intelligent queen and I love making money to buy wonderful things for my wife and myself and we enjoy traveling from time to time...I choose (d).
The albums I have chosen I may have posted tracks here and there on my blogs but when it comes to getting through the work week besides my netcasts I listen to everyday these smooth jams take me to another time and place while keeping me on point at work. It gets my creative juices flowing when posting to my blogs, when taking photographs or just lovin' life to the fullest.
I hope these selections will help you as well while at work dealing with the criminal insane aka your co-workers.
7 Must Have Smooth Jazz CDs on your mp3 player
1. Steely Dan...Two against Nature*
I
wonder why Steely Dan has always been categorized as a rock band
because they clearly sound like a jazz band to me. Listening to Fagen's
voice gives me peace, takes me to another time dimension while at the
same time long for an earlier time in my life. While sitting behind the
"Loud Talker" I'm able to tune her out completely because the
arrangements of the bass line, the horn arrangements makes this a fun
listen to get me through hours surrounded by unhappy, whining
housewives complaining about their husbands, the latest on Desperate
Housewives. Jack of Speed makes you close your eyes, enjoy the guitar
playing of Walter Becker, the horn sections, the smooth sounds makes me
wish I as on the open road with the car set on cruise control
.
2. Special EFX...Body Language*
As
my lovely wife calls this CD, "this is a driving to Chicago CD". I
found this little gem at a used CD store and is one of my all time
albums. I have followed Chieli and the late George Jinda for many
years. I was hooked on the duo
when I heard "The Flow"From beginning to end, every song makes you
smile, slump in your chair and just let enjoy what you are doing at
work while everyone around you is suffering in their own little hell.
3. Paul Taylor...Steppin' Out*
The sounds from Paul's
soprano sax will put you on Cloud 9. For me just hearing On the Move
puts me in the mind dancing with my wife and enjoying her presence.
This track alone you will play more than once just capture that feeling
of "not being there"...there I mean, not at work.
4. Kim Waters...Someone To Love You*
I
should be ashamed of myself. As wrote in an earlier post this gem I
have had on my external hard drive for about a year and never really
listen to and that's a shame. Thank you Jesus that my hard drive never
died on me because if it ever did I would have lost this treasure. One
thing I love about jazz is that most albums every track you enjoy, some
more than others but you get your money's worth and with this release
from Kim Waters you will not
be disappointed. I'm not going to lie, it was hard for me to choose
which songs to mention so my advise to you, get the CD.
5. Artie Traum...Acoustic Jazz Guitar*
You
may get tired of me mentioned this CD but I can't help it. I love the
blend of the Artie's guitar playing with the keyboards/piano
arrangements, the percussions. The blend of these musicians makes me
smile each time I hear this album(check out Quiet Volcano and you will
see why I boast on this CD)
I love the acoustic guitar and when it
is played with such love, it captures my attention with a quickness.
The very first CD I bought of Artie Traum
was at a flee market and I was hooked on his finger picking style.
Other players I could have put on this list(Will Ackerman, Alex de
Grassi, Govi) but I do not want you to get "too" relaxed. Artie has a
that "down home" playing style that makes you wish you were sitting on
a your house porch, with a pitcher of lemonade or whatever your
favorite drink watching the sunset on a cool Summer or brisk Autumn
evening.
6. Michael Franks...Blue Pacific*
If
you have followed my blog you know about me that Michael Franks is my
boy. I once heard Michael referred to as, "The Quiet Talker". His music
arrangements and his smooth, thoughtful, intelligent, sometimes mushy
lyrics has always captured my attention. I see why he captured his
wife's heart. I found out one of reasons his lyrics are so smooth and
thoughtful is that he was once a teacher. Every album from Michael
Franks has one theme...relaxation. Tropical scenes, lounging with that
special, even caught in the rain Mr. Franks makes it romantic, sexy,
erotic and exotic. This is one of my favorite albums because he takes
on a trip with Vincent Van Gogh, running the distance (he's a jogger),
painting the sky with beautiful colors this album makes you want to go
home and hug your love of your life because even after dealing with the
chaos at work his songs makes you appreciate what you have at home and
it makes you realize that you're only at work 8-9hours a day and you
don't have to deal with that mess 24/7.
7. Earl Klugh...Peculiar Situation*
To
hear Earl Klugh play is like hearing angels sing, to me that is how he
plays the acoustic guitar. I remember first hearing of Earl Klugh
when he teamed up with George Benson and I thought, "man, I didn't know
the acoustic guitar could sound so cool." This was one of the CD's I
let my wife to be borrow and she thanks me for bringing this kind of
music back into her life (and I bow). Listening to this album I can
tune out just about any non sense that is going on around me at work.
These track will make you meditate on what's important in life. For me
it's God's word, my wife, the friends I have made in Florida, in the
Vox community, life itself. I wish they would play music like this in
our workplace, maybe this will make people chill and relax. Wishful
thinking huh? Oh well, I can dream can't I? Well, at least I can listen
to it and his harmony builds a cocoon around my mind, my soul of sure
peace and tranquility.
Honorable Mention
Braxton Brothers...Now & Forever*
To
hear the sound of the bass guitar and sultry sounds of the saxophones
takes me back to when I was single, living in my one bedroom apartment,
relaxing on my couch and having Kenya(my grey/white tabby cat) chillin'
with me on a Saturday evening. Each of their songs takes you on a
relaxing drive through the park, the country side or just out doing
nothing. The twin brothers
from San Francisco have come a long way and their sound has matured
over which will be sweet to your ears while tuning out the chaos around
you.
Donald Fagen's Nightfly & Kamakiriad*
What I love about Donald Fagen's
albums are how nostalgic they make me feel. Nightfly & Kamakiriad
is how they take me on a journey into the future. Nightfly is the album
for daydreaming about how the future will be and Kamakiriad is showing
that the future is here and it's not so bad. I don't care what mood I'm
in at work whenever I hear I.G.Y. it makes me feel so good because it
reminds me on how much I love being a geek, love technology, IMs
friends, listening to Leo, Patrick, Amber and my boy Fave(put links by
each of their names). I may not have my flying car yet or my
"Kamakiriad" but this is next back thing It reminds me that even though
my co-workers are behind in the times but I'm Donald Fagen is keeping
on track to keep my eye on the future
Michael Franks...Passionfruit*
I
can't enough about this CD. To me every and I do mean EVERY track is a
classic. From "Amazon" to "How Does Your Garden Grow?" This was the
second LP I bought of Michael Franks
and I wore the cassette out (thank goodness I made copies of the
original and you know I had to buy the CD). To me, Marvin Gaye, Teddy,
Luther are true poets to me and Michael Franks is the "Blue eyed" poet
who's tracks flow one to another on this album. I have about 6 or 7 CDs
from him and it was hard for me not to put this in my top 7. For me,
Mr. Franks can do no wrong.
Will Downing/Gerald Albright...Pleasure of the Night*
What is there to say about these two gifted musicians but WOW! I love the voice of Will and the sax playing of Gerald
but to have them collaborated is a bonus. The vocal of Will on, "Stop,
Look, (Listen To your Heart), and Michelle (the classic song by The
Beatles) will make you sing along, will make fellows wish they could
sing that to their lady, will make ladies wish this was a song about
them. When I hear this I think of cool nights, seating on the patio
with my love and forgetting that I am at work sometimes. The
instrumental tracks is a major bonus on this CD I know you will sit
back and listen to time and time again.
Boney James...Body Language*
Before
she became my wife we dated for a while and this was my first CD I
bought her and I think that really made her fall in love with me. This
CD has to be one of best jazz albums out here. the first time I let my
buddy, Big Art listen to it the first thing that came out of his mouth
was, "this cat(Boney) had to
have hung around some brothas". This CD has done so much for me over
the years, help me win my wife, made fall in love the saxophone again.
To hear this CD while at work takes my mind completely off of my
surroundings, help me concentrate on my work and brings a smile to my
face at the same time.
Acoustic Alchemy...Back on the Case*
My first encounter with Acoustic Alchemy
was in the late 90s. I just moved to St. Louis working the very early
shift at Venture department store. While driving to work I heard the
song, "Overnight Sleeper" and I had to find out what person or group
was that. Later on I found out it was Acoustic Alchemy and the hunt was
on for the cassette. I did not get the album the first time around but
I finally got my hands on the album, "Natural Elements". The late Nick
Webb and Greg Carmichael, a duo out of England played the acoustic
guitars (see a theme with me) and their harmony blew me away. Fast
forward to this CD I pick for you to put on your mp3(Back on the Case)
is an album that once you hear you will thank me. Playing for Time,
Jamaica Heartbeat only will take you to another time and place but this
album has other tracks that will keep on track, get engulfed in they
rhythms and wish the CD will never end. The cool blend of their guitars
makes you smile, pause and thank God that He has given gifts like this
to musicians.
Earl Klugh...Move
Wednesday night I was going through my music trying to find music with just guitarist (acoustic and electric) to make a mp3 cd and I came across this cd I have of
If I ever owned a web business, a barber shop, an advertising agency, Earl Klugh would be a MUST coming out of the speakers through my business.
Enjoy. ^_^
Wikipedia info on Mr. Klugh
Mr. Klugh's official website
{This is how these songs make me feel...feel free to attach your own "sentimental" feelings to each song if you wish}
Across the Sand (Part I & II)...I love the vocal arrangement on these two tracks...guitar and harmony flows so beautifully. ^_^
Doin' It...A very nice relaxing track to play when you have that special "someone" over.
Move...the tempo of the is song makes me think of Chicago downtown (for my buddy Ms. G)
Highway Song...The song speaks for it's self. Driving along as the sun is about to set.
Tiptoe'in...a song for you and your sinificant other to just be plain silly and have a good time
Nightwalk...a nice little song when you and your friends are hangin' out on a Friday evening
I hope you have been enjoying music from these gifted artists. ^_^
Enjoy fellow Voxers
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Music to get you through the day. The weekend is almost upon us and if you have plans...cool. If not, that's okay too. Enjoy the music and I hope to be able to begin my Sunday Music Brunch soon. I haven't posted much bluegrass music but it's coming soon, be patient with me.
Have a Blessed, Safe, and Productive day.
Some tracks to get you through this wonderful work Wednesday. Enjoy
I know, I know I haven't posted new music from my library in a while and I apologize for that. I have been so busy and I hope this will change pretty soon and I have been under the weather. Trying to get myself organized and trying to cut out TV in my life. Here are a couple of tunes for a quick fix for you today.
Enjoy 
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