Customer Reviews

Pure

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The mere fact that Boney's music has remained fresh and contemporary after all these years is a true testiment to his talents. "Pure" is by far one of his best cd's. I especially liked "It's On". I will definately be cruising up the coast listening to that track. This cd is a safe bet for those of you like me who only purchase a cd if 3 or more songs are good. Also, for those of you haven't seen this musical genius live....you're missing out!

Let me first start by saying I own everything Boney. Okay, enough said. This cd is the culmination of a maturing and ever changing body of work. From beginning to end, you can not miss the fact that Boney wanted put himself out there as only he knows how to do it. Boney you need to produce and write for yourself more often. He even brought some old school, Jerry Hay, Bill Reichenbach of Seawind fame, Tony Maiden of Rufus and Chaka Khan, Joe Sample, Pino Palladino, Billy Preston, Ricky Lawson, and mixed it with the new Ahmir "?westlove" Thompson, Dwele, Jon B., and Bilal. He is a true master of 'smooth jazz', and knows how to mix it up without it coming out sounding like saccharine which some smooth jazz artists do. (ie, Kenny G) He can make your head bob, toe-tap and send shivers at the same time. I can't wait to see him live which is always the icing on the cake after he releases a cd. For any true fan, this album is a BUY!!! If you're new to Boney, this purchase is a major treat for you.

This is Boney at his best. I have most of his albums and they are all good, but this one, is fabulous. All I needed to hear "Better with Time", and that was it, I had to get the album. I couldn't wait to get it in my collection. The only thing I don't like is the album cover itself. I don't like cause it's made out of cardboard, instead of getting the classic CD Case. Other than that, all the songs are beautiful.

As someone who owns everything Boney James has ever done, I honestly have to say that this album is one of his best to date. I really don't know how he does it, but it seems as if each time he releases an album, he gets better and better.

'Pure' is his truest piece to date. He not only cowrote all of the songs, but this time around he also produced the album, which is a first for him. Even though he seemed to take more risks and be more adventurous on this outing, he remained true to his r&b roots.

I think this album has more of a sense of maturity about it, which probably is the result of what he's been through the last three years (his brother passed away).

Its a beautiful thing when one can release their ninth album, and still maintain that 'thing' that their fans love about them. In his case, he seems to have nurtured 'it,' and allowed 'it' to thrive.

After all these years, it still boggles my mind how smoothly Boney can play a tenor saxophone. Now, I have never played a wind instrument, but it seems logical to me that playing a soprano sax would be far easier than a tenor. Boney, however, seems almost to make his tenor flutter, like the breeze in late summer, early fall. He makes it seem effortless. I think a good example of this phenomenon is the last track from this album: 'You Don't Have To Go Home.'

His music plays with, toys with the emotions of its listeners with every single, perfectly executed note. It can mellow just as easily as it can excite.

Boney James' music is truly a gift, and I would recommend this album (in addition to his previous works) to anyone. There are only two things lacking from his roster; a greatest hits recording, and a live recording.

This has got to be one of Boney's best. Boney keeps suprising me on each new album he puts out. Boney has creatively out done himself considering that he produce the whole album. It's rare these days to find a CD that sounds good from beginning to end. 'Pure' has all the right sounds, from the smooth title cut "Pure," to the slammin' "Stone Groove," to the laid back "Break of Dawn", etc. This CD has become an instant classic in my collection of smooth jazz. I highly recommend smooth jazz affectionados pick up this jem for their collection.

new CD-Boney kicked producer Paul Brown to the gutter and went over the edge straight into R&B with jazz influences. The man just doesn't care anymore and as result saves the 2004 Summer music doldrums. No covers here-Pure the opening cut, perfectly interprets where he wants to go with this effort and takes the listener with him. Getting Better... is actually the current single and is probably the weakest track but clearly aimed at the masses. 2:01 AM sounds exactly like it's title and should probably be like the "hidden track" on the cd. Fortunately like an Oreo cookie Boney put the good stuff in the middle-Stone Groove with Joe Sample and in particular, Fortunate with Debi Nova (this originally was a Jon B collabo I understand) is far superior to what's currently passing as R&B.
This leads us to an AWB-like guitar scratching perhaps Boney's "Mr. Magic"...Here She Comes-at this point you're trying to find a concert venue near you. Everything's going fine then Dwele?! and Break of Dawn comes on and you're on the cell trying to make plans with your lady. After you play Break 3 or 4 times then IT'S ON cutting the groove loose (with a nice guitar solo). Thinking About Me opens with a salute to Johnny Guitar Watson and I predict will be the surprise winning radio track. You Don't Have to Go Home isn't what you think it is...you think it's a jammm-but it's actually Boney's conversion to "Brother Cannonball" Boney and I guarantee concert venues will have to purchase additional insurance if he plays this-it WILL tear the house down.

I am a huge Boney James fan but I'll have to respectfully disagree with the strong reviews given by others for this CD. In my opinion, Ride was a much better piece of work. The highlights are certainly Stone Groove with Joe Sample and Appreciate with Debi Nova (she can really sing - I loved this tune). The low point for me was Better With Time featuring Bilal. I really liked this song a lot but the singing was just flat out bad. I kept asking myself how a musician like Boney James could allow someone to sing on his CD who was off key as much as Bilal was on this tune. Overall, the CD just didn't inspire me the way Boney James' CD's normally do - to play it over and over again.

For those of you familiar with Boney's funky style of contemporary, urban jazz, "Pure" is yet another fantastic offering to the genre Boney James helped to create. I recently attended a concert he held at Atlanta's beautiful Chastain Park (where he treated us to three cuts from "Pure") and I could not wait to add this one to my collection. For those new to Boney (or jazz in particular), there is no better way to begin your collection! "Pure" is purely fantastic!
Sincerely - Smooth in Atlanta

I had to have this cd when i heard Better with time and after wearing a hole in that track i broke out and immersed myself in the whole cd. Love it!! Great music for a romantic rainy cozy day with your mate or without.

I purchased this CD without having previewed any of the songs on it, and was not even slightly disappointed. Not many artists can inspire this kind of confidence. I didn't think Boney James would ever be able to outdo his 'Body Language' CD, but he's just proven me wrong with 'Pure.' The title track, Stone Groove, and 'Appreciate' are in my opinion, the best this album has to offer. Trust me, trust the other reviewers, get this CD!!!