Post Description

The late saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. was playing "smooth jazz" long before there even was such a term. Then again, whoever invented Muzak was a pioneer of sorts, too, which goes to show that innovation doesn't necessarily make for great art. The analogy isn't inappropriate. Washington's fusion of breezy melodies, flowing funk-lite grooves, slapping bass riffs, and synthesizer chords (all amply displayed throughout this hourlong concert) too often resembles elevator music with a beat. It's a blend that made him rich, as tunes like "Winelight" and "Just the Two of Us" (the latter played as part of a medley, without the Bill Withers vocal that helped make it a hit) connected with a broad audience that doesn't really like jazz but finds it digestible when it comes with a sugar coating. To be fair, the saxophonist (who triples on tenor, alto, and soprano horns) and his band do cook up some hard-charging, infectious grooves, especially on "Let It Flow"; they're all good players, and the sound mix on this disc is superb. But Washington, who has the chops of the jazz musician he once was, could do so much more. There's an antiseptic quality to this music; while it might rock, it simply doesn't swing (the exception is "Blues for DP"). One surprise: a cover of Steely Dan's "Time Out of Mind," which at first sounds as slick and superficial as the rest of Washington's repertoire but actually is by far the most melodically and harmonically engaging tune in the set. --Sam Graham 

One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was a pacesetter in his field. With roots in rhythm and blues and soul-jazz combinations, he also played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and chance-taking of a masterful jazz musician. This is very evident in this performance from the Trump Regency Cabaret Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey. You will feel the magic of this legendary performer captured at his artistic peak. 
Tracks: 
Winelight, 
Nice and Easy, 
Take Me There, 
Blues for DP, 
Time Out of Mind, 
Medley: Inner City Blues/Mercy Mercy Me/Where is the Love/Knucklehead/Black Frost/Santa Cruzin'/Just the Two of Us/Feels So Good/Sausalito/
Let It Flow. 

1op1 rip van de orginele DVD. Samen met covers en audio rip (flac) ingepakt.