Bass player Michael Manson is a Chicago cat but moreover he is a smooth jazz cat. His influence and reputation extends far beyond the windy city and his contribution as session player, side man and now solo performer is recognised and respected right through the business. If anyone had any doubts about this they need look no further than the who’s who of smooth jazz superstardom that Manson has enticed to collaborate with him on his brand new CD ‘Just Feeling’ It’. Released on 215 Records its one of the most pleasant surprises of 2006 with the quality of the writing, (nine of the eleven tracks are penned by Manson), his own inspired production skills and wonderful playing throughout making this a very special project indeed.
The mood is created right at the front end with the understated foot-taper ‘Coming Right at Ya’. It affords a stylish platform for Manson’s tight playing, a sensational horn section and guest spots from Paul Jackson Jr. and Kirk Whalum. With Jeff Lorber and fellow Chicago native Mike Logan both chipping in on piano, contemporary jazz doesn’t get any better than this. That said, the gentle ‘It’s the Way She Moves’, with the guitar talents of Michael Ripoll and more of Mike Logan’s groovy piano on show, also captures the very best of smooth jazz production techniques. Brian Culbertson is synonymous both with the highest standards of production and with Chicago so it’s special when he steps up to co-produce the title track with Manson. With a classic Culbertson vibe running right through it Manson gets this one going with a gentle melody that he is more than happy to turn a little funky as the piece progresses. Gluing it all together is a chorus from heaven in which Culbertson on keyboards and the wonderful Nelson Rangell on sax really get it on. Paul Jackson Jr plays his part too for a track that has ‘radio ready’ written all over it.
The Luther Vandross tune ‘There’s Nothing Better Than Love’ finds Manson proving he can play mellow bass with the best of them and when the full sounding vocals of the soulful chorus kick in its obvious that this is one of this years best examples of smooth R & B. More great backing vocals, this time with a gospel inspiration, are in evidence on ‘Another Chance’. It has a picture perfect Michael Manson melody, handsome sax from Kirk Whalum and a feel good vibe in spades. Manson never lets things get bland and uses the skill he has to ratchet up the tempo as each track progresses. Particularly groove driven is ‘In Flight’ that features excellent drum programming and production from Dave Kochanski while ‘Way Back When’ is something of a showcase for Jeff Lorber. He produces and plays keyboards and piano to generate that trademark jazzy Lorber sound that is helped in no small part by top notch trumpet from Rick Braun.
Manson ripples nicely through the delightful melody of ‘Lovely Day’, his honest cover of the tune that was a hit for Bill Withers in 1977. Manson also includes the brother of Kirk Whalum, the under-rated Kevin, whose voice fits the familiar vocals just perfectly and manages somewhere along the way to engender something of a steppin’ beat. Well, he is from Chicago!
The laid back and smoky intro of ‘Still Thinking About You’ unfolds into a terrific melody. Here, nice work from Manson is complemented by a guest appearance on guitar by Norman Brown and distinctive piano from Mike Logan. Those who have seen Manson cut loose during his live performances will readily understand where the big ‘in your face’ ‘The Bassment’ is coming from. Backed by a big (sounding) horn section, the retro tinged Fender Rhodes of Logan and none other than George Duke funking it up on piano Manson makes the tune into an instant timeless classic. When it is reprised later in the album it comes back just as powerful as the first time.
After the funk and the energy subside we are left with the simple yet spell bindingly beautiful ‘Tis So Sweet’. The title says it all for this late night jazz masterpiece played in classic trio format by Manson, Logan and Ernie Adams on drums.
‘Just Feelin’ It’ is not only an opportunity to hear some of the best of today’s smooth jazz talent all in one place; it’s also a triumph for Michael Manson. Go out and buy it.