Customer Reviews

Both Sides

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all. It appears that Roger plays an acoustic piano on this disc, which is a plus for me. I enjoy hearing an acoustic from time to time.If it's not acoustic, it's the best digital I've ever heard. The mixes are balanced and are not "thin". All the cuts catch my attention because they are fresh and not repeats of one another. I heard "Off the Hook"; the first cut and knew that I wanted to get the cd for my collection. I compare his keyboard style with Alex Bugnon; he mixes cool jazz, hip-hop and dance rythym and his fingers really fly on the keys. Roger can appeal to a variety of listeners with " Change the world" and the Stevie Wonder hit" Overjoyed".. it's a tribute to the writers to play "covers". I recommend this disc highly and hope he makes another one very soon.

As Mozart said ..just the right number of notes..not too many, not too few...and just at the right time. I was 'hooked' the first time I heard Off the Hook on the smooth jazz station. Can't sit still and listen to that one! When I got the CD, I was astonished to discover that the entire CD is one large work of art, colored by talented musicians playing a variety of tunes, tempos, rhythms, instrumentals, vocals. It takes me through a range of emotions. Overall 'classy' jazz. Great mixing and arranging. And...I can't get enough of Roger Smith's piano! Thanks.

Off the hook got me to buy this CD, it is the best track of all. But the variety and change of styles of the other cuts make this truly a great album. On a recent 14 hour drive I played it continuously and never tired of it. I am looking forward to more from Roger Smith.

Syncopation - at it's best. Take Scott Joplin from the world of ragtime and move him into the world of modern jazz - and you have Roger Smith. I love this so much I sent it to everyone in my family. I don't think it's possible to listen and not participate somehow - from air piano when you're by yourself to at least a little toe tapping under the table when you're in a crowd.

This album is very cool. I wouldn't exactly say it's a smooth album however. Most of the tracks are very upbeat and hip, but Roger Smith fails in the same category that many other virtuosos like Steve Vai, Chuck Loeb, and Victor Wooten fail--song writing. There's plenty of talent on this CD, but some of the tracks make you think "When is this song going to start?", only to find that 3 minutes have gone by. There is plenty of slap bass on this album for the bass guitar-enthused. All in all, about 5 of the 11 songs were well written. You'll love Roger's rendition of "Change the World", and also the dark beauty on tracks like "Bring It On" and "Off the Hook". All in all, I give it 3 stars because he could have thought about some of these songs just a tad more before putting them on tape.

I've had this CD for over a year in my collection and totally forgot how good it is. Please add this to your collection if you don't have it already.

Oh dear... 'Both Sides' starts off confidently enough with a couple of commercially strong 'radio play' tracks (Off The Hook being one), then dies rather quickly with uninspired make-weight fodder - struggling for musical ideas. What a shame that (again) musicians of this calibre compromise their talents for the sake of making a quick commercial buck. Other 'smooth jazz' artists seem to me to be more comfortable with the style, do it far more convincingly, and far more consistently to warrant buying this CD.

I'M A MUSICIAN, AND I THINK THAT IF YOU LIKE JAZZ MUSIC AS I DO, YOU WILL LOVE THIS CD. ROGER SMITH IS AT HIS BEST AT THE PIANO. DONT MISS OUT ON SOME OF THE GREATIST SMOOTH JAZZ YOU WILL EVER HEAR.

I wanted to hear Off the Hook, which is receiving a lot of air play. But I am enjoying the rest of the CD too. The CD is easy listening and very enjoyable. Good Luck to you Roger Smith.

Honestly, I purchased this CD for the opening track "Off The Hook", which is exactly that! However after listening to the entire CD, I love each and every track! I also really enjoy his renditions of "Change The World" and "Overjoyed"! This is a must have for any jazz fan!