Customer Reviews

Earthglow

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David Benoit has the rare talent to compose musically-complex songs that are still easy on the ear of the average "smooth jazz" listener. His latest album, EarthGlow comes off the heels of Heroes, which impressively blended a variety of musical styles with jazz. But if Heroes (especially the second half of the album) was too jazzy for you, you'll be happy to know that David has returned to his more conventional sound on EarthGlow.

There are more synthesized sounds on this album than on David's past few albums, as he says he wanted create some new sounds by experimenting a little. Just don't expect any ground-breaking experimentation (as the product description would have you believe). David's minor experimentation does succeed in being refreshing - it even allows him to tap into the grooves of other quality keyboardists. For example, Will's Chill sounds like something you could imagine Bob Baldwin playing (although, interestingly, David said it was inspired by the rapper/producer Will.i.am), and Straightaway sounds like something Gregg Karukas might play. David even copies himself a little - Sneaky As a Cat is very similar in style to a few tracks from David's 2006 release, Full Circle.

My favorite tracks are New Creation, which is played with a genuine and refreshing sense of urgency (without sounding too fast, which is more difficult to accomplish than many people realize) and Freedom at Midnight (The Schroeder Variations). Botswana Bossa Nova is interesting as well. Unbelievable is slightly forgettable, but all other tracks are solid and represent a diverse array of tempos and musical textures.

David is joined on this album by a host of quality guest musicians, including former Rippingtons bandmate Jeff Kashiwa, saxman Richard Elliot, and Tim Weisberg (whose flute has made numerous appearances on Benoit's albums over the years), among others.

Because of his obvious talent, certain people will always want to hear David push it harder, with more improvisation. A case in point can be taken from aforementioned Freedom at Midnight (The Schroeder Variations). David does a masterful job of blending one of his signature tunes with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, but if you search the internet for a video of him playing this tune at NAMM 2007, you'll see that he's capable of pushing it to an even higher level in live shows. What would really be mind-blowing is if he could have this kind of "edge" on his studio albums (or release a "live" album). But that's a minor complaint about an otherwise satisfying album from a true contemporary jazz legend.

This review Copyright 2010 by J. Smith

The talents of contemporary jazz master David Benoit shine brightly on this disc, which is cut inside to outside with one radiant track after another. Here, as always, Benoit delivers on that unique ability of his to induce auditory euphoria by crafting catchy, optimistic, piano-driven tunes with an unmistakeable Americana style while, perhaps more on this release than on others, incorporating world music influences. Earthglow shimmers.

I commend each and every track to your willing ears, but my favorites are: "Unbelievable" (an inspiring melodic theme, roomy bass line; "New Creation" (lots of energy, sweet solo work on piano/rhodes); "Sneaky as a Cat" (chilled vibe, Latin textures with flute); "Downtime" (jazz trio, introspective, just great song writing); "Brownie's Gone" (a bit of a tear-jerker, achingly beautiful). Don't miss the solo work on "Freedom at Midnight" starting at 3:57. It's Benoit-some!

My commendations to David Benoit and the recording engineers who captured the sound of his piano so well.

This is what you have been waiting for! David Benoit and his Steinway are great to begin with but He gives all you wanted and more. EarthGlow steps out with new instruments and makes the wait and for the next bar feeling like the night before Christmas when you were a kid,Then it comes and a smile comes to your face. UNBELIEVABLE and EASY DAY are perfect examples of what I'm talking about. I just don't understand why he isn't more known than he is?

I had heard about David Benoit, but didn't realize how good he really was...I play the CD in my office and my patient's really like the music.

"Earthglow" may well be the best David Benoit CD since "Every Step of the Way." This CD has many excellent selections, and I can listen to the entire CD without wanting to skip tracks. The "chill" element that David incorporates into the sound of several "Earthglow" tracks is interesting and gives the CD a fresh sound. And David's song-writing and keyboard work on this project are both first rate. If you are a David Benoit fan, you'll want this CD in your collection.

A great effort and a bit of a departure from David's traditional sound. Well Done!!!