Search - Kenny Rankin :: Here in My Heart (24bt)

Still Kickin'

Thomas L. Bennett | 08/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I started listening to Kenny way back when he was with Chesky.I acquired a Promo only CD in a little cardboard case and there were two songs on there by Kenny.All I can say is smooooooth. While Kenny has matured in his music it still contains Kenny's trademark romantic stamp.The lyrics are simple yet somehow speak to your heart in a way that you've never felt. The slight Brazilian undertones I was a little leary of when I first bought it but much to my surprise they add so much to the tracks that I can't imagine enjoying this CD without them. Anyone familiar with jazz will enjoy the fact that Michael Brecker has joined up with Kenny on this CD and definitly adds his own balance to the music without cutting through."

Elegant and Sophisticated

Thomas L. Bennett | Indented Head, Victoria Australia | 07/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

".Kenny Rankin is the sort of singer who gets under your guard.Sample his unpretentious and highly accessible style of jazz just once - late night or rainy Sunday by the fire - and before you know it, you're hooked!Rankin's music oozes class and sophistication and touches you on a very personal level.So it is with this outstanding set "Here in my Heart".The star cuts are many, among them the title track with its flute intro (a la Herbie Mann) and its highly intelligent and romantic lyric.The album is rich in unexpected treasures including the haunting, yet downbeat-cool "Those Eyes" and the dismissively-sardonic "Slight Infatuation".The Beatles "I've Just Seen a Face" and Jobim's "Happy Madness" are also unexpected windfalls on this wonderful disc.Overall, the arrangements are elegantly simple and sway to a soft Latin beat.Rankin's performance is first class - and then some - as is the material contained hereon."Here in my Heart" is up there with the finest jazz/Latin/romantic albums ever made. FIVE STARS for this ultra-cool set and the jazz of sophisticated romantics."

Best of the best

M. Basil | Canada, eh? | 04/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kenny's the best. What a range. First he was pure pop (Silver Morning, Inside). Then he did some great work in jazz (Because of You, Professional Dreamer). This album is jazz, but with a nice Brazilian samba, showing a nice influence of Jobim. It's a relaxing but rhythmic piece of sound. Although I'm generally favorable to anything that Kenny produces, this is absolutely my favorite."