Najee - Rising Sun (2007)

Artist: Najee
Title Of Album: Rising Sun
Year Of Release: August 14, 2007
Label: Heads Up International
Genre: Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone, Smooth jazz
Quality/Bitrate: MP3 / VBR kbit/s / 44.1 Khz / Stereo
Total Time: 47:40 min
Total Size: 68,4 mb
WebSite: http://www.najeeonline.com/

Over twenty years since his debut Najee's Theme set the pace for the explosion of urban vibes in the genre that evolved into smooth jazz, the versatile New York based saxman and flutist was still innovating in the mid-2000s. After hanging and touring with Prince during the early part of the decade, his signing with contemporary jazz and world music mecca Heads Up--and releasing 2005's My Point Of View--brought the Najee vibe to a whole new generation of jazz and old school soul fans. Rising Sun was an even more exciting and diverse date, with Najee drawing from a wide range of pop, world and jazz influences to complement trademark groove ballads ("Can't Wait Another Minute") and lively light funk gems like "Come What May" and the seriously jumpin' old school jam "Out Of A Dream." Both of these sizzling horn textured tracks were co-penned by the saxman with Pieces Of A Dream keyboardist James Lloyd, who also produced tracks on My Point Of View. Najee creates an appealing hybrid of pop, samba and retro soul keyboard elements on the percussive "Brazilian Affair," which follows the opening track, a crunchy grooving, organic take on John Mayer's infectious "Clarity", a cut truly reflective of Najee's love for this era's singer-songwriter vibe.


Though the flute had unfortunately, fallen out of favor on smooth jazz radio by the current decade, it's always been a part of Najee's deeper artistry; the wistful "Child At Heart" and the seductive, samba-tinged title track are perfect showcases for this. Speaking of which, a chance encounter at an NYC woodwind store with the legendary James Moody led to one of Rising Sun's most compelling tracks, a highly lyrical, improvisation-rich sax-driven reading of "Moody's Mood For Love." Straight ahead jazz critics have found it easy to dismiss Najee as a groove happy lightweight over the years, but tracks like this--and so much of the powerful playing on this disc--proved once and for all that he's a serious jazz player. Who just happens to like commercial R&B and play it like nobody's business.

TRACKLIST
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1. Clarity 4:23
2. Brazilian Affair 4:14
3. Child At Heart 4:14
4. Can't Wait Another Minute 4:12
5. Come What May 4:49
6. Out Of A Dream 4:54
7. Moody's Mood For Love 4:53
8. Still In Love 4:14
9. Romance The Night 4:06
10.Smooth Sailing 3:34
11.Rising Sun 4:07

Product Description
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Saxophonist Najee, the two-time Grammy nominee and a pioneer of the rhythm and jazz movement of the late ‘80s and ‘90s, continues to shed new light on the contemporary jazz scene with Rising Sun. Always the innovator, Najee blends various shades of straightahead as well as contemporary jazz, classic R&B and even indie rock on this new ten-song set. The result is an album that’s destined to appeal to established fans of his multi-layered groove as well as listeners who are meeting the artist for the first time. The idea was to try to do something a little different from before, says the New York native. But the challenge in that is to always stay true to my own creative identity at the same time. People who are familiar with me and my music have certain expectations, but I’m always looking for something that’s going to make people say, ‘Hey, this is a little different. This is something fresh.’Contributing to this fresh perspective is a coterie of talented songwriters and session players. Producer Chris Davis, who first teamed up with Najee on his previous Heads Up release, returns to the production helm on Rising Sun, and offers numerous songwriting credits as well. Najee also co-authors two tracks with labelmate and Pieces of a Dream keyboardist and songwriter extraordinaire James Lloyd. In addition, the saxophonist borrows a couple songs from the old school as well as the new one from veteran jazz flutist James Moody and another from reigning indie rock songwriter/guitarist John Mayer.

Personnel: Najee (alto saxophone); Chris 'Big Dog' Davis (various instruments); Randy Bowland, Rohn Lawrence, Wayne Bruce (guitar); John Grant (acoustic guitar); Tony Watson, Jr. (saxophone); Andy Kushner, Nick Reider (flugelhorn); Phil Davis (piano); Reginald Veal (acoustic bass); David Dyson, Gary Grainger (bass guitar); Kentric Morris, Blues Webb, John 'Little John' Roberts (drums); Victor Williams (percussion); James Lloyd (drum programming); Iassac Clemon, Sisaundra Lewis, Timmy Maia (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Phil Perry (background vocals).