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.
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