Search - Eric Marienthal :: Just Around the Corner

Carol A. from SUWANEE, GA
Reviewed on 8/19/2012...

I agree, one of his best!

Next time, less sugar, please !

unplug and listen | 10/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On his latest album, his first for Peak Records, Eric is more focused in his Smooth Jazz side, even we all know that he can be much more than that.

For the last two decades, Marienthal has been building a résumé that includes time as a sideman for Chick Corea (performing as part of his Elektric Band) and has also spent a lot of time backing up some big stars, including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, and Johnny Mathis, among others. He's also turned out several well-received albums of his own, including some that have made the Billboard charts.

He is also a talented composer and on "Just Around The Corner" he wrote all the tracks.

His compositions are intelligently varied without undue fussiness.

"Walk Tall", a homage to alto sax great Cannonball Adderley, would seem to point to that instrument as his favorite, but he's equally at home with tenor or soprano sax and both make regular appearances on this CD.

"Open Road" and "Times Square" are possibly the album's highlights,tender, thoughtful and respectful without being over-sentimental.

On "Lost Without You" and on "Flower Child" Eric's playing is high and lyrical, tuneful but not squawky.

His sax mastery is certain and undobtful, his sax playing is very accessible and highly melodic and it is well suited to this album of Soul, Pop and Jazz.

One note : next time, we would prefer to listen to something less sugary and market-chart oriented, and more engaging and adventurous, just in the same wave of his previous work as a sideman in more straight-ahead settings with Chick Corea's Elektric Band.



Performance Credits

Eric Marienthal : Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

Jeff Lorber : Bass, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards

Brian Culbertson : Percussion, Piano, Trombone, Keyboards

Ray Parker Jr. : Guitar

Dave Weckl : Drums

Stephen Lu : Keyboards

Michael Stever : Trumpet

Paul Rayner Brown : Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards"

Great!!

S. Chiang | Irvine, CA USA | 10/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eric Marienthal probabaly has one of the best all around jazz, pop, comtemporary sound!! He's just great, and the songs here are all fun and enjoyable to listen to. It is very west coast reminds me of the beach side when i listen to the cd. The last song of the record was really moving. Eric really put his heart and soul into playing it. Just gotta feel it!"