Customer Reviews

More Than You Know

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Scott Wilkie has hit the mark again with his second CD on Narada Jazz "More Than You Know". Those of you who haven't had the pleasure of listening to his first offering "Boundless"...should. Listen deeply, listen beyond the catchy melodies and calm craftsmanship to what really makes this album deceptively easy to absorb. Listen for the passion...for the teamwork that is the true sign of an artist who sees the whole picture. Yeah, it's a keyboard album...but not at the expense of the rest of the guys who play along. They shine right along with him and the result is an excellent first album.

The new Scott Wilkie Narada Jazz CD "More Than You Know" came out a few weeks ago and is a natural progression in the evolution of Scott's music. The album features some of the most subtle, strong and well-mixed bass playing I've heard...the drums are tight and in the pocket, the percussion adds just the right flavors to the mix...and the guitar is supportive and, when necessary, strong and assertive. The bits of saxophone are tasty and really get your attention...and Scott's keyboards are right there filling in the gaps...never playing too much or too little. From the opening cut "Sign of the Times" with it's smooth blend of acoustic and electric sounds, to the album's pensive finale "Whale Song", Wilkie's keyboard work threads the needle. I've watched Scott play for years and, believe me, he has an incredible palette of licks, tricks, moods and textures to choose from. Many such capable players have fallen into the "Virtuoso Trap"...as I like to call it...where every tune is a gymnastic exercise which contains about 80% of everything they can possibly pull off. Not so for Scott...every piece on this CD finds him and his band exercising the restraint that allows the music to really breathe and totally seduce the listener into becoming a part of the soundscape. Don't get me wrong...they're not holding back, but they're only playing what's necessary and not a single note more. In much of today's music of all genres, this is all but a lost art.

Of all the tunes here, "Pier 39", the album's fourth cut, is to me the most powerful example of the subtle warmth that is the trademark of this ensemble. The instrumentalists all fold into a tightness that is so easily navigable by the listener...I closed my eyes for a minute and it was impossible to get the image of a misty Pacific sunset out of my mind. All the colors were there...

"But can they rock...can they get funky?" you may ask. Let cuts number 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 answer that one...I wanna hear these guys LIVE & LOUD! The up-tempo cuts in this collection are full of musical diversity, twists and turns...and a wide range of influences that are all somehow contained easily within this well-focused project...but most of all, they just plain groove! I could go on and on and on, but the bottom line is this...just buy the CD...take the phone off the hook...close your eyes...and dive right in! The water is oh so fine!

This CD is a big step forward from Scott's first release. The grooves are fat and live, and the sound is sparkling clear. The songs have a fresh melodic spark with a raw R&B/funk feel. Scott shows incredible piano skills on this recording, especially on the burning tracks "Ausgang" and "Summer Vacation." And the closing track "Whale Song" is beautiful and haunting, with Eric Marienthal on soprano sax. Best of all, it's real musicians playing together. No drum machines. Great songs, lots of energy and GREAT musicians!

As I'm reviewing this fantastic CD from Scott Wilkie, I'm also listening to this very amazingly yet beautifully piece of fine art. Scott's musical talents collaboration with the other fabulous talented musicians are an envy for all Malaysian jazz musicians. Recommended songs :- 1. Sign of the times - lovely intro with bass solo (Alec Milstein) 2. NB2000 - perfect piece of song, drums (David Derge), guitar (Paul Jackson Jr.) 3. In Comes The Ausgang - piano intro with strong backbeat

Buy multiple copies of this CD because you'll want to listen to it at home, in the car, on your computer, everywhere! Scott and the boys have put together a great collection of fun, jazzy, funky, melodic tunes that showcase his creative keyboard skills and tune-writing abilities. Listen carefully to "Fruit Sandwich" and notice how the layers of percussion really accentuate the tune. Or how Matthew Van Doren really kicks on "Summer Vacation". And when you listen to "Whale Song" you can almost picture those migrating grays off the coast of California. If you haven't seen these guys play live yet, this album is the next best thing.

This CD is a milestone in what we call in Europe fusion music (contemporary jazz in the USA). Every song on this album is outstanding. Scott's beautiful piano playing is a diamond for the ears and his rhythm section is as tight as tight can be.

The Scott Wilkie Band is such an outstanding band that I'm trying to organize a tour with this band through Europe. People have to experience how awesome this band is!! I hope that Scott's 3rd album, on which he's working now, will be as good as this one. It can't be better!!! Keep up the good work Scott!!! Don't hesitate one second: buy this cd and also his great first cd.