The smooth jazz cover version has, in recent years, become something of an art form. Far removed from a straight forward copy of another artists work, these re-imaginings have breathed new life into music that, typically, originated in the classic soul era of the 60’s and 70’s. Even these boundaries have, of late, been frayed so, by way of paying homage to the very best that this sub genre has to offer, here is my very personal choice of Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Ten Covers of 2007.
‘Aint No Woman (Like The One I Got)’ by Jeff Golub from the CD ‘Grand Central’. This picture perfect cover of the Four Tops hit shows off Golub’s versatility and includes a significant contribution on sax from Richard Elliot. Quite simply it’s the cover of the year.
‘A Love Of Your Own’ by Paul Taylor from the CD ‘Ladies Choice’. Taylor, who also popped up this year on Keiko Matsui’s ‘Black River’, delivers a stunning interpretation of this Average White Bands classic. With Rex Rideout’s delicious retro keyboards, vocals from Lauren Evans that are at soul factor ten and sax from Taylor which sends shivers down the spine, this incredibly soulful smoker is as good as anything you will hear either this year or next.
Read on for the remainder of this year’s top ten covers.
‘Haven’t You Heard’ by Tom Braxton from the CD ‘Imagine This’. Originally from Patrice Rushen’s 1980 release ‘Pizzazz’, on which the then fledgling session musicians Gerald Albright and Paul Jackson Jr both appeared, this feisty track is given a new lease of life by Braxton’s vibrant sax.
‘Outstanding’ by Marcus H Mitchell from the CD ‘R & R – Rest & Relaxation’. Mitchell’s dazzling playing on this The Gap Band smash is, much as the title would suggest, ‘Outstanding’. Funky in the extreme, and with standout vocals from Tara Aldridge, this is a welcome new outing for a much loved favorite from 1982.
‘Strawberry Letter 23’ by trumpet and flugelhorn player David Wells from his CD ‘More Love More Power’. Despite the fact that a cover of this seminal tune was well overdue, the major radio impact Wells version has had thus far owes much to his soulful and passionate approach. Originally from the much acclaimed 1971 album ‘Freedom Flight’, by the then unknown Shuggie Otis, ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ has since been described as probably the last great psychedelic soul single of the '70s. It was written by Otis for his girlfriend who used strawberry scented paper for her love letters to him. The cover version by the Brothers Johnson made number one on the R&B charts in the summer of 1977 and ‘Right on Time’, the album from which it was taken, ultimately sold over a million copies.
‘Back Together Again’ by Gordon James from the CD ‘In Joy’. Possibly one of the greatest soul anthems of all time, ‘Back Together Again’ was a huge hit for Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway yet James understated cover, which includes Chuck Loeb on guitar, pays it huge approbation.
‘Love TKO’ by Eddie ‘Gip’ Noble from his debut solo CD of the same name. Noble’s biggest claim to fame is as the co-writer, with Cecil Womack, of this seminal tune which served to define the career of Teddy Pendergrass. Here, as a sax driven smoker, he uses it as the centre piece for his debut solo album. With the familiar melody in the capable hands of Louis Taylor, Noble makes sparing use of outstanding vocals from Zuri and Campbell to produce a number of hugely atmospheric proportions.
‘Always There’ by flautist Valerie King from the CD ‘Anytime Anyplace’. In paying her respects to Ronnie Laws 1974 blockbuster King diffuses some of the intensity that typified previous versions and, in doing so, makes it sound brand new.
‘Love’ by Jamie WilliamS from the CD ‘After Hours’. Originally from Musiq Soulchild’s 2000 release ‘Aijuswanaseing’ this handsome ballad finds WilliamS at his most soulful and with an earthy vocal from Robert ‘RAab’ Stevenson that’s just right, together they deliver a timeless piece of emotional R & B.
‘Say Yes’ by Jackiem Joyner from the CD ‘Baby Soul’. This erotic slow jam was written by Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart (aka Floetry) and appeared on their 2002 CD ‘Floetic’
Well, that was my top ten! If you have your own list of favorite covers from 2007 why not e-mail it to me at denis.poole@yahoo.com. Happy New Year!!
