Too Smooth

20 Track compilation from CBS featuring some classic smooth grooves from the labels roster, The Stylistics, The Blackbyrds, Gladys Knight and The Pips & more.

Forget about the title of this release, it is an excellent compilation of music from the early seventies right up to the present day. Unfortunately record companies ( and critics ! ) seem to have the need to put music into categories, possibly to attract the purchaser, but, as in the case of this disc, it could quite conceivably have the opposite outcome. I do not feel that this selection has any more connection with Summer than with any other time of the year. I also feel that the term " smooth " is derogatory in its concept to most of the tracks here.

A second edition on 2CD for a long-running, popular series that was for many years available only digitally. A stunning line-up of instrumentalists and vocalists with a seamless soundtrack of 30 tracks guaranteed to enhance - or bring to mind - the relaxing pleasure of a scenic drive. Among the highlights are Jonathan Butler's "10 Degrees South", "A Universal Vibe" by Down To The Bone, "Winelight" by Jason Miles featuring Gerald Albright, and "Retro Boy" by Richard Elliot. The vocalists featured include Brenda Russell, India Arie, Hil St Soul and Natalie Williams.

Stanley Turrentine still has a sweeter sound than any other saxophonist, even at the age of 65. It's a joy to hear him play, even when the material is a little faceless and the sound is a little too smooth, as it is on Do You Have Any Sugar? Since Turrentine is a fine musician, there are moments to cherish scattered throughout the record - the spare, soulful ballad "Far Too Little Love" or the R&B groove of "Back in the Day" or the bluesy "2 RBs," for instance - but it often veers too close to smooth jazz territory, especially when vocalist Niki Harris takes the center stage; she is a fine vocalist, but the style of the music becomes too close to crossover jazz whenever she's on the scene…

Smooth jazz is a kind of jazz that appeared in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, with significant influences on such directions as rhythm and blues, funk, rock and pop. Also, the term "contemporary jazz" is used to refer to the genre.

Welcome to Venice Beach. 30 of the smoothest soul and jazz grooves around on double CD from JAZZFM Records Venice Beach is a byword for sophisticated cool. Where better for JAZZFM to take as the inspiration for the first in a new trilogy of Smooth Soul and Jazz compilations? "Soul Brother" Malcolm Prangell has selected 2 CDs' worth of sophisticated leisure, taking in late 70s mellow fusion, instrumental smooth jazz and silky soul in an enjoyable romp from here to West Coast USA and back again, with featured artists including Dave McMurray, Maysa, Jonathan Butler, Lonnie Liston Smith, The Braxton Brothers, Chris Standring and, of course, Peter White. Venice Beach illustrates that the genre is a vibrant contributor to Soul and Jazz's rich tapestry. Many of these tunes set the phone lines alight when JAZZFM first played them, others are established classics and yet more are underground gems awaiting wider discovery. Discover and enjoy Venice Beach and let the smooth grooves shine through!

This fantastic 3CD collectors' tin features over 3 hours of fine Smooth Jazz and easy, evocative classics. Relaxing rhythms and graceful grooves sweep through this three disc set like a retro convertible on a sunny summer day. Comes in a special edition collectors' tin box.