Dave Koz: Ultimate Christmas (2011)

Ultimate Christmas is the fourth seasonal album from California smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz in his accomplished 21-year solo career. Longtime fans will probably already own at least one, or in some cases, even three, copies of the majority of material on offer, as other than the brief instrumentals that bookend its 18 tracks ("Welcoming Thee Season," "Welcoming the New Year"), every single number has previously appeared on either 1997's December Makes Me Feel This Way, 2001's A Smooth Jazz Christmas, or 2007's Memories of a Winter's Night. While this compilation, therefore, remains largely inessential for the audiences who flock to his annual Smooth Jazz Christmas tours, it's a perfectly serviceable introduction to his interpretive talents for those wanting an overview of his yuletide-themed output. Most of the classic Christmas standards you'd expect to hear make an appearance, from hymns including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Tannenbaum," to traditional favorites like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," to more contemporary tunes such as an impassioned bluesy rendition of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas" (featuring guest vocals by American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke) and the album's sole original composition, the charming Parisian folk of "Eight Candles (A Song for Hanukkah)." The tasteful smooth jazz arrangements, on the whole, offer few surprises, but there are occasions when Koz and his impressive guest list of collaborators (including pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun) bring something new to the table, such as the chilled R&B slow-jam treatment afforded to "White Christmas," the subtle flamenco guitars and bossa nova beats of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," and the campfire acoustics of "Sleigh Ride," while the highlight appears courtesy of "Silent Night," which bravely waits two minutes before its sparse fingerpicking guitar hooks are joined by Koz and the gorgeously soulful tones of singer/songwriter Brenda Russell. The fact that so much of Ultimate Christmas is already available limits its appeal, but it's still a charming body of work that establishes Koz's reputation as the master of festive smooth jazz. ~ Jon O'Brien

Tracklist:
01. Welcoming the Season (Prelude) - 1:14
02. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 2:54
03. The Christmas Song (feat. Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun and Brenda Rusell) - 4:56
04. Sleigh Ride - 3:21
05. White Christmas (feat. Kelly Sweet) - 3:18
06. Winter Wonderland - 4:30
07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (feat. Brian Culbertson) - 3:52
08. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Rick Braun, Peter White and David Benoit) - 4:22
09. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Kimberley Locke) - 3:44
10. Silver Bells - 3:50
11. Eight Candles (A Song For Hanukkah) - 3:34
12. Deck The Halls - 3:42
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (feat. Peter White) - 3:49
14. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - 3:48
15. Silent Night (feat. Peter White, Rick Braun and Brenda Russell) - 4:32
16. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 4:10
17. Auld Lang Syne - 1:52
18. Welcoming the New Year (Coda) - 1:25
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Jeff Lorber: State of Grace (1996)

Delving deep as ever into the retro, vibin, chillin' atmospheres is veteran keyboard funkateer Jeff Lorber, who was actually around playing and helping create the fusion style of jazz in the first place. On the cool explosions of State of Grace (Verve Forecast), one of pop fusion's early forebears shuns the synthesizer effects and again pulls out his healthy, well-traveled rack of simmering memories -- the Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3, Hohner Clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, Mini-Moog, and, in keeping with the eloquence promised in the album title, the Steinway M grand piano. The result is a mostly hypnotic, marvelously organic ride through territory that is all at once familiar and uncharted. Percussive melodies are still the key to Lorber's West Side Stories, but this time he complements his trademark soul with the spiritual flute flutterings of Gary Meek, in addition to all-star contributions by Art Porter and Dave Koz. Koz and Lorber's recent trip to Indonesia for a songwriting symposium with Asian composers led to the most intriguing tune here, the mysterious and exotic "The Island of Temples." What luck that just as a guy like Lorber decides he never wants to leave the '70s, the mystical Me Decade is suddenly back, welcoming his likes again with open arms. ~ Jonathan Widran

Tracklist
1. Wide Open Space (4:37)
2. PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) (4:09)
3. State Of Grace (4:03)
4. Bring It On (4:10)
5. Cat Paws (4:45)
6. Katherine (4:42)
7. Hearts On Fire (4:38)
8. Moon Terrace (4:12)
9. Island of Temples (5:30)
10. Deep Ellum (4:18)
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Jeff Lorber: Worth Waiting For (1991)

After a seven year layoff, feisty veteran funkmaster Lorber steps out from the producer's chair with a fun filled all star project. The keyboardist, best known for his fusion years, has been far from idle during that time, producing for pop jazz sax gods Kenny G and Eric Marienthal, and mixing for U2 and Paula Abdul. His latest lives up to its title...though not resoundingly so. As he did with Marienthal's brilliant Oasis, Lorber divides his keyboard time between punchy, soulful rhythms and mellifluous textures that pour on the romance. Easygoing exercises like "Yellowstone" and the Latin tinged "Punta Del Soul" inspire a cool charm, but it's danceable cookers like "High Wire" and "Jazzery" that keep the disc spiraling. The only track that seems out of step is "Do What It Takes," whose production takes on a dated, 70s Crusaders sheen. Spirited performances surround Lorber's tasty keywork, most notably those of Art Porter, Gary Meek, Dave Koz and Bruce Hornsby.

Tracklist:

1. Rain Song
2. The Underground
3. Yellowstone
4. Punta Del Este
5. Lost With You
6. Worth Waiting For
7. High Wire
8. Wavelength
9. Columbus Ave.
10. Do What It Takes
11. Jazzery
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Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001)

Cohesiveness is what separates this all-star Christmas release from the others. During the last four years, Dave Koz, vocalist Brenda Russell, pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun have hit the road spreading holiday cheer among the smooth-jazz masses and their collaborative ease is palpable throughout these 14 tracks. Benoit is featured on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," while Koz adds one of his best solos. Braun has the spotlight on "Little Drummer Boy," where Benoit shines too, and White highlights "Silent Night." All five players are credited for arrangements on most tracks, the craftiest of which is the '50's doo-wop of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," where you can almost hear the Drifters singing in the background. Russell also does a holiday version of her hit "Get Here," which is as powerful now as it was 10 years ago during the Gulf War. --Mark Ruffin

Tracklist:
01. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture 08:32
02. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / The Christmas Song 04:55
03. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / O'Tannenbaum/Sleigh Ride Medley 04:04
04. Peter White / Silent Night 04:34
05. Dave Koz and David Benoit / Beneath The Moonlit Sky 03:04
06. Rick Braun / Little Drummer Boy 04:27
07. David Benoit / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 04:09
08. Kenny Loggins / December Makes Me Feel This Way 03:39
09. Brenda Russell / Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 03:19
10. Dave Koz and Peter White / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 03:49
11. Brenda Russell, David Benoit and Dave Koz / White Christmas 03:22
12. Dave Koz / Eight Candles 03:36
13. Brenda Russell / Get Here 04:58
14. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / 'Twas The Night Before Christmas 03:57
Personnel:
Bill Sharpe - Bass
Brenda Russell - Vocals
Brian Kilgore - Percussion
Bridgette Bryant - Vocals (Background)
Dave Koz - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Handclapping, Main Performer
David Benoit - Piano
Esterlee Nicholson - Vocals (Background)
John Hendrickson - Handclapping
Julian Raymond - Handclapping
Kenny Loggins - Vocals
Nick Lane - Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)
Paula Salvatore - Handclapping
Peter White - Guitar (Acoustic), Accordion
Rick Braun - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Handclapping
Sandy Simmons - Vocals (Background)
Stephen Theard - Drums
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Bobby Caldwell: Solid Ground (1991)

Bobby Caldwell (born August 15, 1951 in New York City) is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who, despite a prolific musical output over his 30-year career, is still best known for his 1978 hit single "What You Won't Do for Love." While he has always maintained a devoted fan base in the United States, a more legendary status has been bestowed upon him in Japan .

Tracklist:
1. Don't lead me on
2. Stuck on you
3. Cry
4. Janet
5. Without your love
6. Promised land
7. Don't give me bad news
8. Solid ground
9. Back to you
10. Every man
Personnel:
Vocals: Bobby Caldwell, Marilyn Scott
Guitars: Bobby Caldwell, Dennis Budmir, Michael Thompson, Allen Hinds
Keyboards: Bobby Caldwell
Bass: Bobby Caldwell, John Patitucci
Percussion: Debra Dobkin
Vibes: Emil Richards
Sax: Dave Koz, Richard Elliot
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Dave Koz: Hello Tomorrow (2010)

In a career spanning two decades, Dave Koz has established himself as a platinum-selling artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, and instrumental music advocate. A six-time GRAMMY nominee, he was honored in 2009 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The list of artists who Koz has played with bears testament to his talent and includes such musical luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, U2, Barry Manilow, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross, and Rod Stewart. On this, his Concord Records debut, Dave works with such legendary and diverse musicians as Herb Alpert, Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Sheila E., Dana Glover, Boney James, Jeff Lorber, Marcus Miller, Keb' Mo', Ray Parker Jr., Lee Ritenour, & Christian Scott, to name a few. Hello Tomorrow may be all at once his most musical, as well as his most meaningful project to date, as it is about embracing life, the changes it brings and the promise of a new day.

Tracklist

01 - Put The Top Down
02 - When Will I Know For Sure
03 - It's Always Been You
04 - Getaway
05 - This Guy's In Love With You
06 - Anything's Possible
07 - There's A Better Way
08 - Start All Over Again
09 - Think Big
10 - The Journey
11 - Remember Where You Come From
12 - Whisper In Your Ear
13 - What You Leave Behind
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Fileserve / Megaupload @ 320K