Incognito - Transatlantic RPM

http://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/incognito-transantlantic-rpm/

Les Sabler – Crescent Shores


http://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/les-sabler-crescent-shores/

Unwrapped Vol. 7 – Back To Basics

http://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/unwrapped-vol-7-back-to-basics/

Mike Phillips – MP3

http://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/mike-phillips-mp3/

I bought it today and listened to it on the way home. Except for the vocal tunes, which I rarely like, the rest of it is quite good. I like the new trend in smooth jazz, and I wish all of those artists would who have not wised up would. Peace and goodwill.

What trend are you taking about? I didn't buy this Mindi Abair record!

The trend I am talking about is due to the lack of smooth jazz radio expectations. Some artists are now using all real musicians instead of the bass and/or drums being programmed. Paul Taylor, Richard Elliot, Jeff Lorber, Sam Levine, and others have done this. This is smooth jazz I can get into. The progammed stuff usually bothers me.

Peace and goodwill.

The trend you are talking about is no different than making songs that are suppose to meet smooth jazz expectations. The end result is a whole bunch of songs that sound the same and imitate music that has already been done before.

When these artist strive to write music for the here and now, I believe they will be able to write better songs. Paul Taylor's last CD was my least favorite CD from him and makes him sound more like Richard Elliot instead of Paul Taylor. I believe every artist should strive for their own signature sound.

How are you going to program bass and/or drums if you're not a musician?

I have watched people who are not musicians create a tune on a computer. Sorry, but I want real people playing instruments. That is what moves me, that a person actually played an instrument. For example, I have no desire to hear the latest Pat Metheny CD, even though I really like most of his other work. Different people like different things. I have liked more smooth jazz released in the last 18 months than any other time period.

IMHO, innovation is highly over rated. But that is just me. Peace and goodwill.

I agree with TR808 on this one. It is the musician and the mind of the musician that creates the music and "feeling", not necessarily the instruments and programming. I happen to think Metheny pulls it off with Orchestrion. Not one of my favorites by him be well worth the purchase IMHO.

Kind of like saying a design is not quite authentic when done on CAD or other softwares because the engineer didn't use traditional drafting tools, T-square, rule, etc.