Search - Various Artists :: Satin Doll Smooth Jazz Plays Duke Ellington

"Ellington with smooth grooves magic - perfect combination"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Smooth and original is this outing of Ellington - "Satin Doll:Smooth Jazz Plays Duke Ellington", produced and arranged by Kevin Toney from Shanachie Enterainment is "Pure Ellington", like you've never heard him.The first and only recording featuring "Smooth Grooves" of Ellington's music, with guest artists Chuck Loeb (lead guitar), Everette Harp (soprano sax), Kim Waters (soprano sax), Pamela Williams (alto sax), Chieli Minucci (lead guitar), Fattburger's Carl Evans Jr. (lead synthesizer) and Yvette Cason (vocals), an all-star performance loaded with todays talent of the standards of Duke Ellington.Of course there are stand outs - "SATIN DOLL" funky in delivery by keyboardist Kevin Toney..."CARAVAN" has Everette Harp mesmerizing everyone with his exotic soprano sax solo..."I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN'T GOOD" features guitarist Chuck Loeb being cool and grooving this favorite..."SOPHISTICATED LADY" is simply sophistication itself by Chieli Minucci...but we save the best for last - "PRELUDE TO A KISS" talent supreme is the fingers of Kevin Toney on the ivorys, outstanding arrangement and performance with perfection is sublime!Total Time: 50:01 on 10 Tracks...Shanachie 5075...(2001)"

The Great Perpetration!

B. Jamison-harrison | Inglewood, CA United States | 02/07/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Though all of these musicians are incredible in their own light, I find their renditions of some of the most incredible and well-known works of "The Duke," a disaster. Some things are better left alone. The originality of each of these pieces are no where to be found on this project. Many of the players sound if someone gave them a project that they knew nothing about, and they simply threw something together - with no real effort whatsoever. If we are to give hommage to our forefathers in this great genre of music, we should do them justice. It reminds me of Janet Jackson trying to do Ella Fitzgerald or worse, Mary J. Blige trying to do Chaka Khan. NOT! This should be a crime! Let's keep the new smooth Jazz funkateers in this epoch and leave ther masters back in days of old!"