Customer Reviews

Pushing the Envelope

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Certainly he is one of the most eclectic and consistent jazzmen on the market.

This is his 12th solo album in almost 25 years of recording career and fearures special guest appearances by Fred Wesley on trombone, Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar and George Duke on acoustic piano.

It's a pleasant and feel-good set, but do not be fooled by the ironical title.

In fact, if you expect to listen to something edgy and adventurous, you may be very disappointed.

There's no ground breaking on this one, on the contrary Gerald Albright sticks steadly on the Smooth Jazz territory.

Just consider the saccharine-rich version of Burt Bacharach's "Close To You" and the not memorable take on Michael Jackson's "Get On The Floor".

But we cannot say that there are not some good tracks.

The tribute to James Brown "What Would James Do" is at the funkier end of the music's spectrum with guest trombonist sounding uncannily like Fred Wesley.

On the Latin tip, you have another tribute (this time to percussionist Willie Bobo) in "Bobo's Groove" and "I Found The Klugh", which features Earl Klugh on acoustic guitar.

Other highlights are "Capetown Strut", (dedicated the South African city in the occasion of the FIFA 2010 Champonship), which blends Jazz, Pop, Funk and African grooves, and the mellow and very smooth "Road To Peace", dedicated to the Haiti earthquake victims.

"Highway 70" ups the tempo and returns to the funky side of things.

No doubt, the album will do very well on the Smooth Jazz radio Station and Contemporary Jazz Chart, and will appeal to the very man Albright's fans.

It would be nice, next time, to see Mr. Albright playing something really new and not cast of the Smooth/MOR Jazz mould.

Live At Birdland West

Sax for Stax

I purchased "Pushing the Envelope" yesterday. I was busy so I just loaded the songs onto my iPod.

Sitting at my desk I decided to play it. The first track is "What Would James Do?"

I get to work at 7 a.m. and I tell you, the first cut was better than an espresso shot! I could barely stay in my seat.

What I heard is exactly what James would do.

The entire CD is very nice. There is something for every mood. I listened to it all day long. Very nice mixture of tempos from funk to smooth and back again.

I love it!!!!!!!!!

Gerald, you made my week!

I've been a long time fan of Gerald Albright.. He really PUSHED THE ENVELOPE ON THIS CD..please check this one out buy it if you love smooth jazz. This is well worth the money & more please don't let this cd pass you by it's great!!! This is the best CD he's come out with in a long time that every songs sounds good...

this is vintage GA. If you liked "smooth" or "live to love" this LP is up your alley.

Saw Gerald Albright at the Broadmoor Jazz Festival in April and had to follow up with more of his music. He put on a great show and this album is just as good.I am not a Jazz techie but I know what I like!!

just received mr. albrights new CD. WOW

What an amazing piece of work by this premier saxophonist.

if track #8 dont put a tear in your eyes then go get your eyes tested for dryness.

well done brother man!!!!!!

awesome

Gerald Albright's Pushing The Envelope is excellent. If you are into smooth Jazz you have got to have this one in your collection. Albright plays with an all star cast featuring Fed Wesley, Earl Klugh and George Duke. Crank up your cd,mp3 or Ipod and enjoy Gerald Albright's Pushing The Envelope!

ENJOYING MY PURCHASE, AND THE PRICE WAS GREAT. DELIVERY WAS SOONER THAN EXPECTED. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT PURCHASE. THANKS

Gerald Albright is a great Sax player. We love this latest CD. It is inventive and fun to listen to. Plus, we love his punctuated style of playing on some tracks and we love to see him live. His live show is even better than his recorded music and he is quite the entertainer.

Can't wait for him to come back to St Louis and play the Pageant again.

Just by listening to the samples I was hooked. I'm going to get this CD. The title was a throw-off, but I decided to give it a try.It is definitely a smooth jazz to add to your selections. I'm glad I decided to listen.