Released in June 2008, but just finding its way onto the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen, ‘Dangle Grooves’ from Netherlands based Cook Daniel is a delightful amalgam of chill, dance and smooth jazz vibes. Keyboard player Daniel writes, produces, arranges and mixes all ten tracks and with some quality collaborations along the way offers a gentle reminder that it is still possible to find top notch contemporary jazz outside the confines of the USA.
Daniel makes excellent use of guest soloists throughout and with the beat driven ‘Feel’ it falls to Dorien Teeuwisse to provide a distinctly pop influenced vocal. Enriched by zesty percussion and energetic horns it’s the sort of tune that could take its place in Europe’s ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ while when Daniel slips closer to chill territory he uses smoky muted trumpet to herald in the tight and ‘in the pocket’ ‘Lost’. He stays with chilled out smooth jazz for ‘Alive’ which is blessed by fine guitar from Marcel Fisser and the distinctive percussion of Eddy Conard who, later, produces something of a repeat performance with ‘Umalaay’. It shimmers with great piano from Daniel and superb African tinged backing vocals whereas it is the interplay between Peter Lieberom on sax and Daniel on Hammond B3 that gives the jazzy ‘Ping Pong’ its decidedly retro aura. Although for ‘Full Of Joy’ the rhythm remains intense it does so in a world beat kind of a way and ensures, with Daniel making good use of a feisty horn section, that the energy just keeps on building.
‘Corazon de mi vida’ is as Latin influenced as the title suggests it might be. Notable for evocative trumpet from Fred van Straten and the spine tingling Spanish spoken vocals of Alma Nieto it sets the stage for the equally Latin tinged ‘Tus Besos’ for which Nieto again shines. In fact she is at the heart of most that is good about ‘Dangle Grooves’ and this is particularly so with ‘Push My Love’. As compelling as it is hypnotic Nieto’s urgent vocals makes this one of the album’s outstanding cuts and another favorite is the sumptuously turned down ‘First Love’. Picture perfect guitar from Fisser, a vibe to die for and more wonderful vocals from Alma Nieto all combine to deliver what is, without doubt, a tranquil masterpiece.
With ‘Dangle Grooves’ Cook Daniel might well be on to something. Check him out at www.cookdaniel.com