In some countries, Christmas comes early. Which is why we can find a review of the Gomes' It's Christmas Time Again at Christmas Reviews

We agree it would make a nice holiday gift. If you're wondering where to get it, just hop by the Top Room whenever the dynamic duo are performing.

Links: Junji Delfino Gomes' blog.

Was it the German philosopher Immanuel Kant who coined the word we know as phenomenology to express the idea that things are not as they are but as you see them?

With this disclaimer in mind, it is hard to ignore this offering from Chris Botti though there are those who may have already dismissed the Grammy Winning and Billboard Music Awards nominee’s latest blend of commerce and art as not close enough to real jazz.



But why exactly is this difficult to gloss over? The aesthetically, pop-culture-driven ones may argue that it is precisely because of his Greek demi-god looks for one to savour within the CD jacket.

However, it is more reasonable and rational to say that it is Botti’s minimal approach in improvisation and a smooth, horn sound from an earlier pilgrimage that he brings with him in this excursion into the periphery of a more straight-ahead jazz direction.

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This is a follow-up album to the Jazz In The City where today's biggest artists performs timeless songs. If you've purchased that album, this would definitely be a satisfactory addition to your collection. And I can assure you that you'd enjoy this as much as you have with the first one.

Perk up your party with tunes such as Michael Buble's Feeling Good, Jamie Cullum's High & Dry Eliane Elias' So Nice (Samba de Verao), and many others.

For the pop-lovers, I'm sure you'll find Westlife's version of Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon a wonderful twist. Not forgetting Michael Bolton or Mike as he would prefer to be referred as, singing When A Man Loves A Woman. Timeless tunes being performed by today's biggest names. Surely an easy album to digest for those who would like a elementary introduction to jazz.

Both the Jazz In The City and Jazz In The City 2 albums are now available at your local music stores as well as online music stores. Other titles within the Soul Jazz Campaign that's currently organized by Sony BMG (M) are also on sale.

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Imagine with me if you would this scenario. You are hosting a little get-together at your place for a couple of old friends. A few candles littered around your chic living room sparringly, a couple of bottles of good wine, and some finger food to munch on while reminiscing about the good times. Then you realised that you need some background music to set the mood and you franticly search for something jazzy. Something where the tunes and the voices are easily distinguished. This best-selling theme compilation album dubbed Jazz In The City would be a superb choice for that purpose.

Maybe you are someone that would like to find out more about this genre of music and you have no idea where to start. You're read of names such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Sun Ra, Nils Langren, Diana Krall, Kenny G but you still have no idea which one you should purchase first then this series would be right one for you.

The compilation, Jazz In The City and Jazz In The City 2 comes with two disc each album with a total of 65 tracks in this series. This album is currently being promoted under Sony BMG (B)'s Soul Jazz Campaign. Timeless songs performed by today's biggest artists.

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The sleek doyens of smooth-jazz return with their tenth album in the customary laid-back manner and fashion which has won them a huge fan base since Fourplay’s inception 15 years ago.

The quartet of middle-aged talents, keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason reunite with 45 minutes total of easy-listening joy for their legions of faithful supporters.

Featuring the characteristic strong melodies, tasteful solos and top-notch performances from each protagonist, it is hard to find a flaw in this 9-track album.

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If I could sum up my feelings about “Miles: Cool & Collected”, it would be that Miles is the epitome of cool.

The compilation straddles four-decades over Miles Davis’ long and illustrious career and concentrates mainly on his acoustic era where he was at his peak in the 1950s and 60s.

The material showcases many of Davis’ landmark recordings such as “So What” from the definitive modal-jazz album “Kind Of Blue” and the gorgeous Gil Evans arrangement of “Summertime” from the musical “Porgy & Bess”.

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When Mia first mooted the idea of contributing reviews to our site, we were very surprised at the offer. Firstly, our album review section was non-existent then and this meant opening up a new section. We also felt that it would be more deserving for someone of her calibre to contribute to commercial media publications and be financially commensurated for the effort. (After all who would be willing to be paid with mere goodwill except for Brian and Sweelin? )

Mia after all is an excellent writer (and a debater from what we have been told by her fellow Sabahans) as you will see and could probably fare quite well as a feature writer and much more, with a reputable media house.

As we got to know her better, we realised that she has a keen sense of respect and appreciation for the efforts of her fellow co-labourers in the local music scene and her love for writing meant it was important to get the word out on the exciting developments in the current Malaysian Music Scene.

When Eugene received the following review, he had only one regret: That he had not taken aboard Mia as guest contributor much, much earlier. We are quite certain you will agree with that as you read on. Have fun!

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Tis that time of the year again to be merry and to welcome the season by having some Christmas carols pumping through your stereo. So how many versions of Jingle Bells have you heard? I think one wouldn't be too disappointed with the swingy version on this CD.

Despite five out of twelve songs being originals, these tracks almost sound as if they are Christmas classics in their own right.
The title track itself is wonderfully welcoming as the opener. Junji Delfino's silky smooth voice simply draws you to a romantic atmosphere on tracks like Make My Christmas White Again or even the traditional O Little Town of Bethlehem. Not forgetting the piano accompaniment contributed by the acclaimed David Gomes, the solo improvisations provide a jazzy edge to this bunch of yuletide songs. The piano keys are practically indispensible throughout the CD.

David himself helps provide a balance to Junji's vocal contributions in the CD on several songs. I find that the vocal pairing is strikingly clear and occasionally teasing, particularly on A Lovely Time of Year.

Unlike cheesy versions of Christmas carols strewn with too much sleighbells that typically plague our airwaves out there, It's Christmas Time Again is a pleasant CD to play if you're looking for a set of songs that befits the intimate Christmas setting with your family.

Track Listing:
1. It's Christmas Time Again
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
3. It Came Upon Midnight Clear
4. Make My Christmas White Again
5. Hark Herald
6. Jingle Bells
7. O Little Town of Bethelehem
8. A Lovely Time of Year
9. O Christmas Tree
10. Peace This Christmas, Please
11. What Christmas Means To Me
12. O Come All Ye Faithful

Note: David Gomes shall be performing at the Penang Island Jazz Festival 2005 with the David Gomes Trio. Further information about the CD and both David and Junji can be found at artsee.net

Turning Point is Farid Ali's attempt to fuse traditional Malay influences into the much loved Jazz form. Take a listen to the stunning track called Zapin Blues and you'd be amazed by how contemporary this version of the Zapin sounds. Western, Middle Eastern and Malay worlds collide with the experimental fusion of the gambus strings and jazzy improvisations provided by the piano accompaniment.

As humbly stated by Farid Ali in the liner notes, all the self-composed tracks on Turning Point in a way reflects points in his personal life experiences. Hence the titles such as Ayah dan Ibu (Father and Mother), Peace and Friendship and Gift of Life. Therefore there is an atmosphere of humility and earnestness displayed throughout the whole album.

Ayah dan Ibu is one of the most touching tracks you'd find on the CD. As the title and lyrics obviously suggest, the heartfelt tribute to his parents is further demonstrated, I believe, by Mr Gambus himself providing the vocals. If you're looking for deft performances of the gambus, I would recommend tracks like Gift of Life and Song of Edmond aside from Zapin Blues as the uniqueness of the instrument is obviously fleshed out. On the top of that, these tracks also seem to have a staying power in my memory long after the tracks have been heard.

On the whole, Turning Point demonstrates the viability of the gambus to be present in modern easy listening songs, more than just being a component of traditional Malay dance songs.

Track Listing:
1. Thank You and Goodbye
2. Zapin Blues
3. Gift of Life
4. Ayah dan Ibu
5. We're All The Same
6. Song for Edmond
7. Peace and Friendship
8. Heart Strings
9. Deep Within Me
10. You're My Valentine
11. Love You More
12. Roy's Tune
13. Zapin Blues (Remix)

Links:
Farid Ali's Mr Gambus
See the crew behind Turning Point

We would like to thank Swee Lin of AudioAddictions for the following review. Enjoy!

Liner notes and many other reviews have already compared her voice with the great voices of Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington or even Sarah Vaughn. And if you give the cd a listen without a single peek into the liner notes, you'd easily mistake this cd for a production from the yesteryears. I suppose one wouldn't even believe that this is an Asian effort upon first listen.

Well believe it that this Singaporean jazz singer-lawyer captures the old-school charm with her rendition of jazz standards like Gershwin's I Got Rhythm to Irving Berlin's Blue Skies further complemented by Jeremy Monteiro's skill on the the piano keys together with the impressive Belinda Moody on the double bass throughout the cd.

I suppose that this is Rani's debut cd, the selection and arrangement of songs tries to display her vocal prowess evidently in the energetic I Got Rhythm, and yet easily slips into the calm Moon River or the dreamy Little Girl Blue.

The cd just aims to be pleasant to the ears and I think that's what was best displayed in the tracks. It's also hard to find any faults in the style nor the skills of the musicians accompanying Rani.

Notable tracks I would recommend to put on repeat would be the upbeat Just Squeeze Me and the big-cityish I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. I think I've developed a soft spot for the short but sweet double bass solo on that latter song.

If you're looking something slick yet faithful to old-school jazz to relax to after a hectic day, give this cd a spin.

Track Listing:
1. With A Song In My Heart
2. You Go To My Head
3. Just Squeeze Me
4. Little Girl Blue
5. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
6. Sometime Ago
7. I Got Rhythm
8. Moon River
9. Blue Skies
10. The More I See You

Links:
Official Rani Singam webpage
An earlier write-up on her upcoming DFP concert
JazzNote Recordings
Jeremy Monteiro's website
Jeremy's blog