Amazon Jazz Sampler

Various Artists | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 11, 2008
• Label: KOCH Records
• Copyright: (C) 2008 Koch Records
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001KVXORO
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz Sampler, December 17, 2008

By 

Judy Kennedy (South Lake Tahoe, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Amazon Jazz Sampler (MP3 Download)

This is a very diverse yet upbeat album. I'm listening to it for about the third or fourth time right now. It can be a nice mood setter or move into the foreground at times. I really appreciate the opportunity to sample some really fine albums for free or cheap. It opens doors into new realms of all kinds of music. Thanks.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I don't like Jazz...do I?..., January 8, 2009

By 

perry (MidWest, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Amazon Jazz Sampler (MP3 Download)

OK...this is an example of why I never (well, ALMOST never! ;-) make statements like, "I DON'T like...(fill in the blank)..type music." Because, sooner or later, if I listen long enough, I will come across something (in the genre) that I DO like.

For the most part (4 out of 5 stars) I like this sampler. If you are one of those "I don't like ---" people...you MIGHT want to try this one.

In reference to the previous reviews, I will say that:

"Christmas Eyes" ISN'T vocal...and IS what I would expect, if someone said "Jazz" to me

"Two Small Cars in Rome" and "Waters of March" are NOT what I would expect from a "jazz" sampler. "Two Small Cars..." sounds like a country/western instrumental (to me). I'm not sure how to describe "Waters..." (since, here again, is a song that probably would go in a genre that I don't often listen to)...but it just so happens, that it's my FAVORITE of the whole album! The mellow, "sing-song" rhyme to it is smooth on my ears...but when I pay attention to the words, it has that "hidden hook" that I (personally) like in songs. (Which is what makes it my FAVORITE of the whole album)

(PS...I went out and looked up a couple other songs by Holly Cole ("Waters...") Oddly enough, all except one ("Cry") were NOTHING like this one...and much MORE like the "jazz" I would've expected on this album.)

This is one of those samplers, that you might just want to listen to...then pick and choose your favorites from...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazon Jazz Sampler - Nice Blend of Jazz Styles, April 8, 2009

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

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This review is from: Amazon Jazz Sampler (MP3 Download)

The Amazon Jazz Sampler is a very nice album of jazz music that includes many different styles spanning modern jazz, smooth jazz, Bossa Nova, jazz pop and even a country-bluegrass infused tune. As such, while not every track will appeal to everyone, everyone should be able to find at least a couple of tracks that they really like. This is one of several compilations that I have had on rotation recently, and I think that the album tag-line is appropriately stated: "The more you listen, the more you hear."

There are plenty of big names in the world of Jazz represented here. From Earl Klugh to Steve Tyrell and everybody in between, this compilation is loaded with top level talent. And for the most part, the recordings are all of very good quality.

"The Jive Samba" by Warren Hill is a very cool modern tune that will be a good listen for those who haven't been turned on to Jazz yet. As for me, I liked the vast majority of the included tracks. Earl Klugh's "Bye Ya" is just as good as any fan of Klugh would expect from him. And I really love the Bossa Nova track from Vinicius Cantuaria, Chuva. It has a nice easy arrangement and beautiful mellow vocals. "Gal From Joe's" by Simone is a modern, cleaner rendition of the song made popular by Nina Simone. I can't deny that, as a huge Nina Simone fan, I was happy just to hear this song included here.

The final two tracks end the collection with very nice vocal performances. Steve Tyrell's version of the Bacharach hit song "Alfie" was a bona-fide hit for him last year, and got steady air-time on Jazz radio stations. That particular track comes off of his most recent album of popular standards, Steve Tyrell Back To Bacharach. Even though many tracks on that album border on the fringes of jazz pop, it was one of the better selling albums last year and spent plenty of time on the Billboard Jazz Top Ten. It might be one of the better renditions on the album. The fact that it is included for free here is incredible. And "Christmas Eyes" by Bob and Hilary James ends the compilation on a very nice mellow note.

Jazz has always been about experimentation and has influenced and been influenced by many genres. So I was open to the technical merits of the country bluegrass tune that's included here, even it if wasn't entirely my cup of tea. But the real objection I have to this collection is that on at least one of the songs it sounded like the effect they were trying to achieve with the organ may have lent to a choppy-sounding recording. I am going to test my original copies of this recording to make sure it's not some random error on my copy.

This album should appeal to fans of jazz as well as those who enjoy music fusion and world music. A few classics thrown in will help general listeners find something they can relate to as well. So I think this is a no-brainer. Download this album now and take advantage of a great music value while it's still available.

Enjoy!