Customer Reviews

Just Chillin'

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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

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.

Norman Brown is that rare smooth jazz artist these days that falls comfortably between the roots of his form and the tastes of the forms modern audience. If you're into traditional jazz, you can't help but respect the guy's guitar playing. If you're into smooth jazz, he's the most complex mainstream act in the vein. Even when he handles such radio staples as Janet Jackson, he doesn't do what most acts do and simply play the vocal notes on his instrument of choice over an essentially instrumental version of the original. His covers retain and add mad soul, and his arrangements are not to be slept on. He covers stuff second only to Stanley Jordan (his cover of Michael Jackson's "Lady in My Life" from his 1990 "Magic Touch" album) is the most perfect smooth jazz cover ever), who simply refuses to release anything new these days, so Brown is a fine replacement. While he dots this record with fine singers, I'm ever-drawn to the instrumental work on his records. These tracks showcase his incredible ear for a well-constructed and pleasing song, and his playing really shines on tracks where his is the sole voice.

Not a classic like his "After the Storm" record, but a solid purchase through and through.

NUNCA HABIA ESCUCHADO A ESTE GUITARRISTA Y SINCERAMENTE DESPUES DE HACERLO NO ME SORPRENDIO QUE GANARA EL GRAMY DE SU GENERO.LAS MELODIAS SON HERMOSAS,LA VOCALIZACION ESTUPENDA(SOBRE TODO MM Y DEBIE NOVA)Y NI QUE SE DIGA DE LA INSTRUMENTALIZACION.INGENIO ,FRESCURA,VERSATILIDAD LE DEJA A UNO ESTE CD DESPUES DE DEGUSTARLO ;Y ADEMAS LAS GANAS DE OIR MAS MUSICA DE ESTE EXCELENTE GUITARRISTA Y MUSICO.

Having a bad day and need to be put in a more positive state of mind? Or having a good day and want to keep it that way? Well, just pop in Norman Brown's latest album Just Chillin'.

Now, it'll come as no surprise that Norman can still come up with great instrumentals with the great soundscape that backs up his guitars. "Dancing In The House" (where Norman also scats) is nice n' funky, and his version of Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait Awhile" is excellent. And the title track and "Night Drive" are ideal for doing those respective things.

But when guest stars show up, the fun doesn't stop. Miki Howard helps out on "Not Like You Do", while Chanté Moore contributes to "Feeling The Way". And Michael McDonald continues to impress people with his vocals on "I Still Believe".

There's not one track on this album that's a waste of time. Pick it up today.

I've been fascinated by Normans music. I bought the Just Chillin CD simply because next to George Benson and Eric Clapton and BB King, he is the finest guitar player out there. And with a silky smooth vocal presence, look out! Norman has taken us on a vocal voyage with the sounds of Michael McDonald and Chante Moore and Mikki Howard and I especially LOVE the 8th track "Baby Won't You Stay" This young angelic voice cried to me 'Baby, the day is over. Let me take care of your worries!' And that's the way to my heart! Norman Brown is a superstar as far as I can see and hear. His After the Strom CD displayed his vocals on track 8 "It costs to love" and his Better Days CD was amazing also. But this one, Just Chillin' conveys to all that Norman Brown is on the rise and get ready for more of my best. I would love to team up with him and lay a track or two.

Norman does it again.... Can this man play guitar or what? Norman Brown is Extraordinary on the strings and he proves it again with his CD "Just Chillin"... This Album is sultry and ultra-smooth. His track "Not Like You" featuring Mikki Howard ~sizzles~, it is a song that I just can not stop replaying...I think it is the smoothest track on the CD along w/ Michael McDonald & Norman's duo "I Still Believe". All of the tracks on this CD are excellent, I can't say enough good things about this CD... No disappointment in my book.

If you want to hear someone make a guitar really come to life and make a guitar speak in different dimensions and tingle your sensations... Listen to Norman play....

Norman does it again.... Can this man play guitar or what? Norman Brown is Extraordinary on the strings and he proves it again with his CD "Just Chillin"... This Album is sultry and ultra-smooth. His track "Not Like You" featuring Mikki Howard ~sizzles~, it is a song that I just can not stop replaying...I think it is the smoothest track on the CD along w/ Michael McDonald & Norman's duo "I Still Believe". All of the tracks on this CD are excellent, I can't say enough good things about this CD... No disappointment in my book.

If you want to hear someone make a guitar really come to life and make a guitar speak in different dimensions and tingle your sensations... Listen to Norman play....

He is one of my favorite jazz artist. From the very first one my mother was playing back some yrs ago I've been hooked. I think he is underratted, but he will get his just due! He needs to keep on what he is doing and don't change a thing.