Search - Euge Groove :: Born 2 Groove

Tasteful and unaffected.

starschaser | Boston, MA | 06/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With a pleasingly unaffected, natural-sounding delivery and a considerable talent for writing original songs ranging from soulful ballads to funky shuffles or relatively conventional standard-influenced material, Euge Groove has made another great recording with "Born 2 Groove".

The aforementioned range of his material is what immediately impresses ­but this eclecticism is entirely unforced, enabling him to express straightforward heart-on-sleeve emotion one minute ("I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know") and emulate the penchant for "gospel/R&B" songs the next ("Café del Soul" and "Religify") without any undue abruptness of transition.

The neat tastefulness of his bandmates and the controlled power of his arrangements help in this process. But overall it is the clear commitment and patent sincerity of Euge himself ("Baby If You Only New"), for instance, contains some of the most unaffected passages you're ever likely to hear in the current saccharine Smooth Jazz trend ), not to mention his sheer musicality and ability to deliver a song in a variety of modes and moods, that make this album so attractive.

Throughout, Euge's emotional saxophones (he is one of the surest-toned sax players currently operating and his playing is both subtle and assured) are artfully blended with striking, alternately delicate and robust orchestral colours and vocals ( the great Jeffrey Osborne and the former Temptations lead singer Ali "Ollie" Woodson perform on two tracks) so that each piece becomes an organic whole rather than (as too often in such projects) a too easy, sugary confection in which shimmering strings are the icing on a relatively bland jazz cake.

Intelligently paced like a well-arranged club set, this is his most personal statement to date as an artist and an assured recording from a musician to watch."

Smoothjazz.com Review

Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 06/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great album this is! It's Euge at his absolute best, rising still another notch on the groove meter and totally nailing this one. It's Paul Brown, with his fifth successful collaboration with Euge Groove in seven years, demonstrating beyond any doubt that he is the Smooth Jazz producer par excellence. As for the music, the title track (and first radio single) says it all... top 10 and still rising. What strikes me as I listen to BORN 2 GROOVE is that not only is it soulful, and not only does it display groove, panache and, yes, Euge's trademark funk, but it has more of... an indefinable vibe to it that is a reflection of the soul of the musician. I hesitate to say spiritual, but I think that's really what's going on here. Euge Groove is fulfilling his purpose in a really powerful, positive way. He's communicating with us like he was meant to, providing yet another collection of pure joy and good feelings, delivered in a classy, uplifting package that will become one of this genre's forever classics. Euge believes strongly that everyone comes into this world with unique abilities and special gifts. "If we are fortunate enough to have great people around us, those natural abilities can be nurtured along," he says. Euge Groove has the gifts, has surrounded himself with professionals who have the passion for using their gifts, and together they have created a truly outstanding collection of sax-driven Smooth Jazz. BORN 2 GROOVE rocks! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN"

Euge has done it again!

G. Cleaves | 06/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quite simply, another masterpiece. Euge has the proven formula for producing hit, after hit, after hit. His style is smooth, his songs are tight, and his concerts are awesome. This is yet another stellar CD. Thanks for giving your all, with every project Euge. Hurry and make it back to Houston for another live concert!

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