Customer Reviews

Now (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just wasn't expecting it. I heard "Song For Ruth" on the radio a few months ago and fell in love with the song after just that one listen. But then reviews were mixed; I wasn't sure whether this was a smooth jazz album or not, or whether there were any other really good tunes on it. The soundclips were helpful but only so much so.

But I finally bit the bullet and bought the CD. At first I just played "Song For Ruth" on repeat (I can never get enough of that tune - Eastwood's basslines are so hypnotic, the piano solo, played by John Beasley, is short but incredibly sweet) but of course it got to the point where I had to listen to what else the album had to offer. I was pleasantly surprised. I don't feel this is smooth jazz per se, more jazz fusion but it is very accessible and the musicians on here are all very good, especially Eastwood himself who mostly plays electric bass but goes acoustic on two songs: "I Can't Remember" and "How Y'all Doin'". Speaking of the former, the first time I heard it I thought he had Jamie Cullum on there but it's his brother Ben. They sound a lot like each other.

Anyhoo, apart from the aforementioned tracks, other favourites include the title track, "Nasty Girl" and "Eastern Promise". Great fun. I must check out his other work. A special mention must go to saxophonist Dave O'higgins. He's brilliant on here.

Second album for Candid from the electric bassist making a splash in a contemporary fusion vein.
While this 38-year-old bassist's famous father is a true legend of the silver screen, it's less widely known that Clint is a very big jazz fan. Hence jazz has been an important part of Kyle Eastwood's life from an early age.
On "Now", his second for Candid, Kyle Eastwood takes his cues from jazz funk and a contemporary ambient-clubland version of jazz that's propelled by drummer Ralph Salmins' biting grooves.
Yet improvisation plays a vital part too: note BBC Jazz Award 'Rising Star' pianist Andrew McCormack's funky Herbie-type licks, and a tiptop horn section of UK saxophonist Dave O'Higgins and trumpeter Graeme Flowers.
Ben Cullum (elder brother of Jamie) sings three songs co-written with Eastwood, while Michael Stevens lends some breezy soul vocals to a haunting rendition of Sting's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic".
Eastwood's mellow yet funky electric bass underlines it all.
So cool and unruffled.
Like father like son.
My favourites tracks are : " I Can't Remember", "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "Song For Ruth".

France's #1 Jazz artist releases NOW... a HOT new project from bassist Kyle Eastwood. NOW offers a cool twist of genre jumping selections that swirl a post-modern jazz sensibility with a hip Euro electronica lounge vibe. This sophisticated album also features a rich smattering of tasty vocals on cleverly written songs sung and penned in part by Ben Cullum (brother of singer Jamie Cullum). The merge between the sonic environments is done with grace and ease and makes for a captivating experience. Eastwood has been flirting with acid jazz, beats & bass and progressive jazz for years, however until NOW he hasn't quite landed smack dab in the middle of the money. The influences of this project have combined to create a collection of songs that are appealing to listeners on so many levels and from diverse backgrounds. Jazz enthusiasts will find the depth, Smooth Jazz fans will find the funk, after-party loungers will find the chill, and pop fans will find the vocals... those incredibly infectious vocals. And people say that the music industry isn't exciting anymore. Really... Eastwood proves hands down that passion will prevail when you get outside the box. Having grown up in a jazz culture here on the Monterey Peninsula, the prolific musician has managed to harness his jazz upbringing while allowing his Euro surroundings to infuse his music. (Kyle and his family reside in Paris.) Like father like son, the Eastwoods have been collaborating with their art forms over the years, in fact, Kyle composed the film score for Clint's Oscar-nominated LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. Don't wait, NOW is the one to download next. Go!~SANDY SHORE

Kyle Eastwood's "Now" is an interesting hybrid of style. The title track is the most successful with its addictive chugging rhythms of Manu Katche on drums and co-writer Michael Stevens pounding out the pearly whites on piano. This track blazes out of the speakers and repeats in my stereo incessantly. "I Can't Remember" with Ben Cullum's wispy vocals makes you want to tap your toe and exclaim, "Shooby doo." Eastwood's bass shines on "Leave It," throbbing sensually under Cullum's air-thin vocals. "September Nights" assumes a bit of a techno fusion feel with Michael Stevens' keyboards shimmering. "Nasty Girl" laces funk rhythm with melodic trills in a mostly satisfying blend. While I tend to skip over "Eastern Promise," the set ends on a high note with "How Y'all Doin'" & features Graeme Flowers' trumpet. While nothing quite satisfies like "Now," the CD is a strong jazz mix. Enjoy!

As a music lover for almost 45 years, I am really happy to listen to someone who dare to come up with some real muxic music these days where you can here that its good compositions and the guys play music Manu Katche is one of my favorites, even I can imagine that is not a regular member of the band , he gives the music the last push, from my point of view . His play on the hihat is fantastic The other guys plays music. Keep on with the good work Kyle and the rest

I purchased this album the day after it was released and went to see Kyle Eastwood in Santa Cruz, CA shortly after. I've been a jazz fan for 30 + years and was pleasantly surprised by this effort. Eastwood teamed up with some talented guys, mostly from Europe, and composed some killer tunes that are both contemporary and retrospective; the former refers to a minimalist hip-hop essence of percussion style and the latter to the funk/jazz fusion genre of horns represented by trumpet and sax.

Eastwood deftly handles the bass and offers a glimpse into the transcendent and ethereal universe of jazz. Michael Stevens shows off his veteran chops on guitar and vocals for "I Can't Remember" and some interesting melodic turns on the cover tune "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic". In concert, Graeme Flowers literally blows the audience away with his staccato trumpet riffs.

All in all, this album is great for commutes and quiet evenings with a glass or two of fine wine.

I have probably 1000 CD's in my collection, and listen to this one the most! I love the vibe, and all the songs. I have it on my iPods and in the car. I have a difficult time explaining why I enjoy listening to it so much, but I do.

I happened to hear a song on this CD while listeneing to XM radio & was intrigued. Once I rec'd it, it was a really nice CD. Upbeat & jazzy--worth the money!

My girlfriend absolutly loves this CD. If your into C-Jazz, then this CD is for you.

. . . even if he's trying too hard.

This strikes me as a classic case of the whole being less than the sum of its parts. For example, there are many fine musicians associated with this disc, but several of them, primarily Dave O'higgins (sax) and Manu Katche (drums), seem rather hopelessly under utilized.

A second problem is what kind of disc does Kyle Eastwood want to make in his sophmore release--jazz or pop? Thus, there's a not very attractive schizophrenia operating here: popish vocals cheek-by-jowl with genuine jazz moves. The result? Too often a hodge-podge, a jumble, a jackalope--and everyone's the loser.

Memo to Kyle Eastwood: Quit the genre-bending and stick to jazz or pop. I think you'll be be better off artistically in the end.

3 1/2 ***