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In fact, you could almost think of Jazzhole as kind of a soul-based alternative to the dance-oriented work of those scenes -- the best parts of New York coming together in a really unified sound. Great work by one of the best things going on the New York scene -- the soulful Jazzhole, a great group with a really unique sound. There's elements of soul, jazz, and funk bubbling throughout most of the record -- but the group's also got influences that span the globe, and which bring about a sound that touches on many cultural horizons -- not in a cloying way, but in the kind of warmly integrated feel that you'd hear in the work of Joe Clausell or some of the best work on Spiritual Life. Titles include "Dancing In My Head", "What Kind Of Love", "Pillow Talk", "Winter Sky", and "Hush". (Reviewed at www.dustygroove.com)
I found the melodies uninspiring, the beats simplistic, more irritating than calming. I was thoroughly disappointed with this CD - I think Amazon recommended it to me through because of some dance or jazz CDs I bought. This is not Nu Jazz, this is not techno, this is not traditional jazz. It is more slowed down R&B with some wanna-be beats slapped on at the end, with some crappy saxophone reminiscent of Kenny G playing in the background. I pretty much hate this CD.
Jazzhole's third album, their first for Beave, explores the atmospheric trip-hop-jazz-R&B hybrid they developed on their first two albums. At this point in their career, some of their productions still feel a bit constructed -- the band's followup, "Circle of the Sun," would offer a more deft touch at this ethereal mix -- but for the most part there's an organic flow to each cut. With a core of Warren Rosenstein, Marlon Saunders and Jon Pondel producing, Jazzhole takes on guest instrumentalists and vocalists, as well as the studio itself. The productions are sophisticated creations, with instruments, samples and voices mixed into a near-seamless experience. Their cover of Sylvia's "Pillow Talk" is too busy for its own good (which is especially disappointing given the fine duet between Saunders and Rosa Russ), and the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" is smoothed out to the point of dissipation. More winning are the instrumental interludes and moody sketches like "Never Can Forget You." The album's ambient groove is subtly funky (especially the bottom end), and the downbeat tempos and gentle timbres are equally at home in either background or foreground.
In other words, this ain't the kinda music you'd hear on the radio. My absolute favorite is prob'ly 'Winter Sky'; the saxophone on it makes it one'a the most straight-ahead jazz-styled songs, but is' got a bassline an' organ that borders on FUNK an' Michelle DeVille's voice is jus' beautiful. This is definitely good music, an' this one'a the most honest an' do-good groups I've heard in a while, but I think they broke the mold more on their most recent release 'Circle of the Sun'. The opening song 'What Kind of Love.' is a nice song with a good message an' Marlon exercisin' that falsetto to nice effect. This is a talented group wit' some illicit grooves runnin' through they heads. But of course thas' not necessarily a bad thing (I mean, have you heard whas' on the radio. I dig Rosa Russ' voice a lot, an' I could definitely make some freaknik bedroom scenes to this joint; I mean is' jus' straight sexy.
Is' really ALL good an' well-produced, but jus' some'a it borders on "sleepy jazz", an' some'a the stuff that picks up the pace is still so quiet an' monotonous that I jus' can't get into it; the only exception to that is 'Dancing in My Head', an' thas' cause Marlon's vocals are excellent on it, smooth n' rugged all at once; he's flexin' 'em on this one, fa'real.I may be criticizin' this a lot, but I'd still reccommend it, but only AFTER you pick up their most recent one 'Circle of the Sun' an', above all, Marlon Saunders' solo debut 'Enter My Mind'. This one falls into that New York "hip" jazz-soul category, but doesn't venture much further from that side'a the spectrum. 'Wonderin' has a real slick, '70s feel to it; smoothly funky with a nice rubbery bass groove. Thas' damn-near a compliment). I like 'You're My Baby' a lot, is' a nice duet, an' 'Pillow Talk' has a nice mellow vibe, an' nu-R&B flava. THEN pick this one up if you're still not full. An' they're only gettin' better.
I was immediately entranced by the original compositions, and the covers that sounded like anything but.THIS CD is worth every cent. "Femme Fatale" is an incredible mix of harmonies, intrumentation, and just plain erotic feelings that mixes beautifully with all of the previous selections.Other standouts, are "Never Can Forget You" and "Wondering." With these tracks the music picks up a bit, but never loses the mellowness of the entire CD. However, combined with the former song, those who didn't know couldn't possibly even tell it's a remake. I've played it countless times, each time hearing something new. But it is the "You're My Baby", combined with the "Pillow Talk" that is a MUST have here. Some of you may remember Pillow Talk as a one-hit wonder for Sylvia back in '73. Like many, I picked up Jazzhole's latest release, Circle of the Sun, first. BUT if you miss the seductive soul of the '70s, as I do, and yearn for new voices and creations in this field, this, again, is a MUST HAVE CD.
Now, if only we could get radio to PLAY this type of music again, it would only add joy to this world.This is the perfect CD to put on, and hit repeat, for romantic evenings with those close to you. I'm sure the group would hate comparisons to earlier artists, so I'm gonna try and avoid them here. You simply cannot get music more sexy, and full than this. The result is a 12-minute erotic journey that cannot be topped."Hush" follows, and gets into the multi-vocal harmony, only this time, so mellow and hushed, while still delivering incredible vocals and dissanant harmonies that has to be heard to be believed. It starts with the tremendous Saunders composition, "What Kind of Love" which transports you back to the long-forgotten Soul music of the '70s, but with innovative and original instrumentation. Even your grandparents would love this CD, smooth, pure music, and that means extraordinary talent behind it all.I hear that Marlon Saunders is putting out a solo CD.
Saunders, who sings and writes as good as ANY artist for seductive soul, cleverly combines "You're My Baby" with "Pillow Talk" -- seamlessly, and to tremendous effect. "Winter Sky" is another masterpiece, featuring Michella Deville in an outstanding vocal performance. While that is great, I hope this group continues to put out the solid work it has. My eternal gratitude for this group, and hope for many more releases.as I cannot wait.
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