Dreamtown

Jango

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Samson Music
• ASIN: B00000I3ZA
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,769 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz
From a pure pleasure standpoint, this half-vocal, half-instrumental debut is so smooth, fun, and in-the-pocket that it's impossible to diss. But the band lacks originality. First, the good news: Steve LeGassick's array of keyboards helps propel instrumental tunes into the smooth-jazz stratosphere. The mystical, moody, urban flow of "7th Journey" features a nice lead-melody switch-off between Nick Kirgo's electric guitar and Steve Nieves' sax, but it's the underlying melange of Fender Rhodes, organ, and piano (sometimes all at once) that gives the tune its thrust. Likewise, "Sunset to the Sea" is a retro-funk, Crusaders-like gem that finds LeGassick's dreamy Rhodes easing from melody to harmony as Nieves weaves in and out. Nieves' soprano makes the laid-back "Driftin'" come off like a romantic soundtrack.

Now the bad: Nieves' vocals sound too much like Donald Fagen and Paul Carrack's. "City of the 2nd Chance" is a wry, little driving tune, but its Steely Dan-like lyrics, playful vocal harmonies, and Fagen-like keyboard riffs make it almost sonic plagiarism. The title cut is a pop/swing/jazz delight, but Fagen and Walter Becker did the same thing better 25 years ago! At least Jango has a sense of humor about its folly: "Too Much Time" mentions Steely Dan by name and implies that the band has had too much time to listen to these prime influences.

Don't let that keep you from enjoying Jango's charms: Instrumental tunes like Victor Feldman's ballad "With Your Love (Victor's Song)" and the bluesy, electric-guitar shuffle "7th Journey" are solid smooth-jazz experiences. Just pray next time, that the band establishes more of an identity apart from their inspirations.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fan from Pasadena, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

I found the music on this cd to be very relaxing it took me away from the hussle and bussle and made me forget everything that was weighting heavy on my mind. I recommend this CD for anyone who wants to get away from it all. Just put the music on and let it take you away!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of suspicious...., August 31, 2007

By	Jayfest - See all my reviews

I find it hard to believe that there could be 17 reviews of this album and not ONE of them mentions the uncanny resemblance of this band's sound to that of Steely Dan. Furthermore, all but one of these reviews are anonymous and most of them are very short blurb-like remarks, not to mention that every single one of them gives the album 5 stars! It makes one wonder whether these "reviews" are possibly being supplied by people friendly to the band, at least.
As a disinterested person, let me opine that this is a perfectly decent, well-executed smooth-jazz album, with several songs featuring Donald Fagen-like vocals. Admittedly, sounding so much like the Dan is no small feat, and there is not exactly a glut of new Steely Dan product being released, but it is tough to listen to one of the vocals and not be distracted by the similarity. If this doesn't bother you, then this album could be a reasonable purchase.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

Excellent CD. I found this through an airplay on a jazz station in San francisco and just fell in love instantly. "City of the second chance" and "With your love" are my favorites, but the other songs are also great.