Next to You [Enhanced]

Marion Meadows | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B00004Y6SL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,816 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Marion Meadows became one of smooth jazz's most popular saxmen of the last decade by being a constant purveyor of soprano sax-driven mush. With that in mind, it's exciting to see his growth during the course of his two latest recordings on Heads Up. Last year's Another Side of Midnight nailed his longstanding love for the free-spirited, late-night-club vibe of his former hometown, New York City. One aspect of his musical life in the Big Apple was jamming frequently with Latin and salsa bands. Meadows fashions his latest release, Next to You, around a rich fusion of those relatively exotic influences and his trademark R&B-flavored sound.

The bouncy, synthesized trumpet/sax riff at the beginning of "Miami" is more festive than most of Meadows' usual fare. His smoky soprano winds in and out of dense percussion, splashes of horns, and a lively scat vocal and acoustic guitar interlude by Spyro Gyra's Julio Fernandez.

On the tracks he produced, veteran musician/producer Ray Obiedo brings loads of Latin fire to the mix with tunes like the plucky, easily percussive "Carousel," which features Meadows switching between soprano and alto saxes, and gentle flute harmonies by Norbert Stachel. The jamming Latin romp "Blue Cactus" spotlights a hard-wired Peter Escovedo on drums and sizzling sax/piano interplay between Meadows and keyboardist Peter Horvath. The disc's closer, Obiedo's "La Samba," is best described as Brazilian lite, but its polyrhythmic structure provides a challenge to Meadows' usual straightforward approach.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well...., January 31, 2001

By 

"disway" (NE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next to You (Audio CD)

I was very excited when the CD "Next To You" arrived in the mail, with all the expectation I generated after reading the 3 great reviews people posted here at Amazon, I popped it into the player right away. As much as I respect every musician's work, however, I have to say I am a bit of disappointed about this album. It is no doubt Marion Meadows is a very talented artist, but even though the CD contain tracks like "Miami," "Blue Cactus," "La Samba" and other hyper rhythm piece, I still found Marion is playing his music on a mild tone, in every song! In other words, I don't feel there are aggressive notes, high and low, or even an emotional moment in any track. They are just...well...ordinary, nothing appealing to me especially after I already have enough CDs like that. The most passionate and emotional sax player I have listened to is Art Porter (Grover Washington Jr. is another example), whose music can almost touch my inner feeling in a very profound way. Deep thoughts and personal emotion is what I hear from Art Porter's music. "Blue Cactus" really has a mix style of Chuck Loeb and Art Porter which I enjoyed much. Actually the track "Any Time Any Place" and "Look inside" off Marion's CD kind of reminded me Art Porter, and that's what triggered me purchasing the album, but a little disappointed about the overall experience afterwards. I believe my taste is a little too picky and the comments are critical, but as an advice, I'd say sample the CD first from a friend, record store or even see if you can download a few tracks off the net, then decide. If you don't have a lot of jazz CDs, this album will be a good one to have for your collection, but I can only give a three star rating even despite the fact it's a HDCD.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TRUE EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE OF THE BEST CAN GET EVEN BETTER!!, January 5, 2001

By 

Cindy R. Harris (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next to You (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Marion Meadows for years and years and have all of his albums. When I first heard this new album, Next to You, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It's Marion Meadows TIMES gazillion. It's fun to hear how someone you think you've known so well for so long get better and better - truly amazing. My favorite cut on "Next to You" - - - ALL OF THEM! Buy it and enjoy!

5.0 out of 5 stars next to you, August 22, 2010

By 

Jam 201 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Next to You (Audio CD)

The song Next To You is worth it!! I love the whole cd!! Marion Meadows does not get enough air time. Listen to his cds, you will find something you love! I have five so far.