Sensual grooves.
kons | 10/25/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sensual Smooth Jazz from this attractive and talented saxophonist.
He is in excellent company on "SUNSET COLLECTIVE", a gentle summery grooves collection which oozes class .
In fact his latest recording in four years features Neo Soul artists such Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix, Macy Gray, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Spinna and Ginuwine.
Smooth Jazz staples like Paul Brown and Brian Culbertson join the team brilliantly.
You will like partying to the cuts like the sleek "Happy Hour" and mid-tempo "Beginnings", the new version of "Lovelife" Lovelife with Macy Gray, which has a steppers feel, whilst the lilting "The Now", featuring Vikter Duplaix and the riff laden "Besamo Mucho" exemplify the vibe of the album.
But it is the groove driven nature of tracks like the beautiful "Kickin' It" featuring Brian Culbertson that hit the spot.
360 Urban Groove"
About 2:00 into "Out of Nowhere"...
gq_online@yahoo.com | T dot-O dot, Canada | 11/01/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmy Sommers appears for his own CD and he's right on time. Sommers does not hesitate to take the background on some tracks because it's all about the groove. The "chill" dimensioned tracks with Vikter Duplaix "If I Knew" and "Beginnings" are extraordinary. Paul Brown produces the obligatory Boney James impression on Happy Hour. The Culbertson collaboration "Kickin' It" is run of the mill smooth jazz. The remix of Lovelife reminds us there still might be some hope for Macy Gray because she brings it. "House Party" is a breakdown and a Maceo style solo away from being the reason alone for buying the cd. "Besame Mucho" seems to be a tribute to Gato Barberi and is beautiful. Sunset Collective is so diverse and has so many artists contributing it's more like a compilation cd and taking your i-pod and putting it on shuffle...."
SmoothJazz.com Review
Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 11/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The only thing hotter than Jimmy Sommers' new release SUNSET COLLECTIVE is Jimmy Sommers. Easy on the eyes, easy on the ears... The calm, cool and collected man about jazz has a solid new release here on his own Gemini Records. The smooth saxophonist surrounds himself in good company on his first full length album in some four years. SUNSET COLLECTIVE features neo soul artists Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix, Macy Gray, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Spinna and Ginuwine as well as Smooth Jazz mainstays Paul Brown and Brian Culbertson making for a slick glide and groove listening experience. Sommers is what we call a crossover artist... meaning that he traverses between radio formats as his appeal intrigues both Smooth Jazz fans and Urban Adult Contemporary listeners. The first radio single, the jazzy "Happy Hour" (featuring guitarist Paul Brown) is briskly mingling it's way up the SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Chart. Top 50 comes easy for a guy who was voted one of People Magazine's Top 50 bachelors... duly noted in the jammin' duet with Macy Gray, an updated remix of "Lovelife." (Side note: Macy Gray has a brand new album out this year as well called BIG.) Other stand out tracks on this recording include the loungey and vibey "Beginnings, " the alluring and sensual, "The Now" featuring Vikter Duplaix on vocals, the sexy cover of "Besame Mucho," and the vibrant "Kickin' It" featuring Brian Culbertson. Twelve tracks make up SUNSET COLLECTIVE, plus two bonus tracks. Jimmy's back and we're gonna party!"