Customer Reviews

Having Breakfast With Reality

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Because concert promoters and radio programmers tend to feed contemporary jazz fans the latest from veteran artists they know will be big draws, they often overlook the incredible indie talent out there that dares to push the envelope and deserves to be heard. Lovers of melodic and funky keyboard sounds know they'll always get great tunes and fun shows out of the Brian Culbertsons and Jeff Lorbers, but maybe it's high time for Having Breakfast With Reality--keyboardist/composer Joe Yander's dynamic and inspiring debut.

Voted "Best Emerging Artist by American Idol Magazine and American Idol Underground for his original "Variations in E Minor," this eclectic, multi-talented performer makes it his mission to artfully blend infectious accessibility with inventive outside the box sonic whimsy. His fresh twists are there from the get go, getting us into a "Kinda Groovie" mid tempo cool funk mood with an ample serving of trippy, psychedelic jazz/blues. There's no denying that Yander comes from the same "old school" as Lorber, putting a moody Fender Rhodes melody over lush synth harmonies on the sensual groove tune "Merge." Then there's the bluesy organ and Rhodes mix on the hypnotic ballad "Beach Drive" and, a few tracks deeper, the high spirited, Rhodes infused classic funk jam "Stop N Smile," featuring retro soul sonic elements. Despite its cheery title, "Pineapple Bread" explores darker keyboard tones over its sensual sway vibe.

His often whimsical sense of innovation drives "Angels on the Beach," best described as "mystically percussive," a blues/funk tune that's both ethereal and grounded in groove. No matter how much funk Yander serves for breakfast, he's clearly a romantic at heart, sharing intimacy with his listener on the elegant and passionate, R&B flavored "Sensual Surrender" and the soulful and atmospheric sax-piano driven ballad "Passion Obsession." Yander also ventures into trippy chill mode on the artsy, sound effects laden "L.A. Dreamer" and eases into a hypnotic tropical world on the closing track "Just A Chillin'." Easily one of the most engaging yet challenging indie releases of 2010, Having Breakfast With Reality is Joe Yander's way of telling contemporary jazz fans tired of the same old, same old that there's something tasty, new and remarkable on the table.

--Jonathan Widran, Jazziz Magazine

New York keyboardist Joe Yander is all about expanding musical boundaries. He refers to his new collection of original compositions on HAVING BREAKFAST WITH REALITY, as "relaxed, smooth nu jazz, R&B, electronica and nu age." After listening to his music, one word that comes to mind that's applicable to everything he writes and performs is "compelling." Here's a man whose passion is music... whose muse chooses to color outside the lines, and thus free the listener of musical stereotypes. In his own words, "Life is about love, living and passion; not about yesterdays and regrets." As we say goodbye to one year and welcome a new one, there could not be a more appropriate theme to embrace than this. By extension then, there could not be more appropriate anthems for 2010 than what Joe Yander has created so eloquently on his latest album HAVING BREAKFAST WITH REALITY! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

While trolling throught the FaceBook musicians, I came across a song called Jus Chillin by an Artist named Joe Yander. I pushed the play button and I have not been the same since. This particular player did not have a repeat button, so I found my self pushing play a minimum of 5 times. This song captivated me. I liken it to a cruising song, which is a euphemism of the type of music a person of my generation would listen too while being involved with some endeavour that you would want to go smoothly.

I kept cruising the confines of FaceBook listening to this while being mezmorized by the rhythms. I immediately came here to Amazon and found this Album download Breakfast with Reality. The whole album is one symphony of beautiful sounds which sway your emotions and make you feel great. The songs are upbeat and uplifting. From the Opening Kinda Groovie to Pineapple Bread, your ears are treated to dessert. THis ablum is a Gem. Hidden away like a diamond. Mine it up, click play and hear the genious of Mr. Yander as he gets into your heart and tugs gently at your soul.

This might be called Smooth Jazz, but honestly even that term is very limiting to this work. I just suggest that you listen and let your heart and mind decide. This music is out of the box and opened to receptive lovers of music and the finer things of Life. I hope that the Nation wide Music Stations start to program Mr. Yanders music, so that more people can be exposed to this Creative genious. Guy Wilson