Just Chillin'

Norman Brown | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000068PC7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,846 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The opening track here is aptly titled "The Feeling I Get," because there is a certain good vibe to Brown's style and his melodies. Brown's use of swinging horn sections and the way he pads his lines with reeds, blending in swirls of triplets with his Wes Montgomery/George Benson sound, can't help but make real smooth-jazz lovers feel good and smile. The expert pen of the tasteful veteran arranger Jerry Hey on the opener (and the following title track) magnifies this unique sound. This album takes a left turn on the four vocal tracks. Chante Moore and Michael McDonald totally dominate their turns, but the other two are real gems. Singers Debbie Nova and Miki Howard, respectively, on "Won't You Stay" and "Not Like You Do," mix in their neo-soul style perfectly as Brown sounds like himself, not just another guitarist playing behind a singer. Even then, the vocals get in the way of a fine guitar player. To really hear a great new Norman Brown record, program the CD player to skip the singing. Other standouts include the bouncy "Night Drive" (featuring Rick Braun) and Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait Awhile." --Mark Ruffin

Product Description

2002 album featuring special guest Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, James Ingram, Patti LaBella, Aretha Franklin). Also included is an instrumental of Janet Jackson's hit 'Let's Wait Awhile'. Warner Brothers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Just Keeps Getting Better!!!!!!!!!!!, September 24, 2002

By 

Tawana Hawkins (Akron, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Chillin' (Audio CD)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cd. I listen to it every night before I go to bed and that's the truth. I have to give props to Jerry Hey on this production because he has certainly outdone himself. From the first time I listened to it...I have just been hooked. I got it the day it was released and it's been in my cd changer since. I can't say enough about it and it would do a terrible disservice to try to pick out favorites. I'll say he jumps out the gate with "The Feeling I Get." A lot of times I just hit the repeat with this one. "Just Chillin'" keeps up the momentum. Forget what you may have heard concerning smooth jazz being at a lull! Nothing could be further from the truth. Norman, Gerald Albright, Mike Phillips AND Boney James have more than exceeded my expectations of them. Judge for yourself. I have listed in no particular order my own personal smooth jazz cd rotation in full. It has been a good year indeed! Until this project I always considered Just Between Us my favorite Norman Brown cd. I have a new number one these days!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stormin' Norman has put it all together once, again!!, July 31, 2002

By 

Kevin Jones (Bellflower, CA. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Chillin' (Audio CD)

Norman Brown paired with super producer Paul Brown has put out a smooth, sultry project any smooth jazz fan would appreciate. Starting with track # 2 "Just Chillin'" the title track, Brown & Brown depart from the usual Norman Brown 'scattin' to a mid tempo sound. This project features excellent contributions from the likes of Michael McDonald,Mikki Howard, Chante' Moore and new comer Debbie Nova all nice selections. My favorite is tract #9 "In My Life". Norman also includes another Janet Jackson tune
"Let's Wait Awhile". This CD is definitely worth the dough, get it and enjoy the quiet storm of Norman B....

Sincerely,
Kevin

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just beautiful - and jazzy like a warm summer breeze, April 28, 2008

By 

Andre Heeger (Germany) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Just Chillin' (Audio CD)

Norman Brown has his very own style of playing.
So called soft jazz guitar often brings to mind Wes Montgomery and George Benson.
Norman is different. First I don't want to call any of this soft jazz (neither Wes and George). It sounds about as dumb as easy listening.
Norman's lines, the chords and hooks, the innovative playing, the wonderful melodies, all of that adds up to a unique sound. Sure, mostly slow grooves and relaxing tunes, late night music, just as the title suggests. But soft jazz - please!?!
Michael McDonald is great on I Still Believe. His way of handling the song a nice break amidst the instrumentals.
Other familiar names include: Tony Maiden guitar, Lenny Castro and Paulinho da Costa percussion, John Stoddart drums, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams and Bill Reichenbach horns, Chante Moore and Debbie Nova vocals.
Looking for something to listen to in the middle of the night with your girlfriend in your arms - take this. She'll love it.