Customer Reviews

Rhythm & Romance

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Kenny Gorelick, known as Kenny G is a pure instrumentalist jazz artist who broke into the charts long ago...
For those who are unfamiliar, Kenny's music is mainly instrumental and performed on the soprano saxophone (with occasional diversions onto tenor), although this album, along with most of his other mainstream albums contains a couple of vocal numbers, this time in a soul-latino style.
Whilst many would have him classified as a producer of "elevatot muzak", one can only wonder at his undoubted ability and musicality whether or not one actually likes his commercial music.
Kenny has mastered the art of producing hummable tunes that get stuck in your head and yet, at the same time, are wonderfully relaxing and enveloping in one swoop.
One cannot fail to feel just ever-so-slightly sentimental when listening - a rare accomplishment for something that is essentially background music.
Kenny's often described as a jazz musician but whilst one could (and probably should) argue that this is far from jazz, there is still the kind of soulful, relaxed air about each piece that will occasionally produce a slight spine shiver if the ambient mood is right.
"Rhythm and Romance is a unique combination of rich Samba, Salsa and Bossa Nova love songs anchored by Kenny's intoxicating and signature saxophone melodies.
From the classic ballad "Sabor a Mi' to the romantic staple "Besame Mucho", Kenny has created a tantalizing album unlike any other in his catalogue.
On this seductive album, Kenny performs with some of the best Latin musicians including Alex Acuña of Weather Report (drums), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar), John Pena (bass), Michito Sanchez (percussion) Enrique Martinez (accordion), Nathan East (bass), Paulino Da Costa (percussion) and producer Walter Afanasieff (piano) to create a truly infectious rhythmic style.
The album also features guest vocals by rising Chilean star Barbara Munoz and Spanish-speaking pop/rock sensation, Camila.
Despite the grumblings of true jazz lovers, purists and snobs, Kenny G has used his musical talents to successfully blend a pop-oriented appeal with a smooth jazz sound into much success over the years.
But even he must have realized that the time had come to take his music into a new direction.
With "Rhythm and Romance," it seems he has hit all the right notes!
The percussions are strong but not overwhelming and you'll soon find yourself wishing you were on a island getaway.
For Kenny G fans, this album will be another "slam dunk" success story. For the rest of you, put it on when you're having a bad day and watch how fast things change.
With this album Kenny G has signed a new deal with Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records, breaking a very long artistic 'relationship' with Arista, with which he has started recording since his 1982 self-titled debut.
His final release for the label was the 2006's rather bland I'm in the Mood For Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time, which nonetheless debuted at No.1 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz chart.
Album highlights: "Peruvian Nights", "Mirame Bailar" and " Sax-O-Loco", which has made the Top 20 Smooth Jazz Chart.

The title of the CD is Rhythm & Romance and the music that plays is exactly that. From the first catchy notes of Sax-o-loco to the last notes of Salsa Kenny, the music does not let you go until it's over. But by then, you can't wait to start over again. All the selections are outstanding but there are personal favorites. The stand out selections for me are Cope de Amor, Sabor A Mi, Besame Mucho, Brasilia, Sax-o-loco and of course, Ritmo y Romance. I could listen to these selections over and over again which I have done since I downloaded the CD from Amazon MP3 downloads.

I am glad that Kenny left Arista for Starbucks entertainment so he could follow his dream of making the kind of music that he wants to record instead of being told what to record. He has more freedom in writing music that sounds good and it shows how much he has grown musically over the years.

For those interested in listening to similar genre of music from Kenny G, I would recommend buying/listening to Classics in the Key of G. It's not widely available but it's an outstanding CD that has a collection of jazz classics that influenced him during his younger days as a learning musician.

Lastly, I've been listening to Kenny G since his days as guest soloist in an instrumental titled "She likes to Watch" from the Rippingtons Moonlighting CD in the early 80's. He is a great musician who has managed to stay in the realm of quality jazz music all through the years. I'm looking forward to more beautiful music from him.

Just got this CD today and even on the first spin around I fell in love. It is so great to have a Kenny G album with original music instead of covers or a greatest hits album. This album is wonderful...my toddler and I danced to most of these songs in the kitchen for most of the day. THanks for another great CD Kenny!!! Janis

This is one of Kenny's best! There is passion and great rhythm. Everyone I have given this to has enjoyed this CD. Mary, San Jose

Kenny G just keeps getting better & better with each cd. His arrangments of each song are awesome. He,s one of the most talented sax players iv heard in years. Id say go out & buy this cd right away you,ll be glad you did.

Excellent new album from Kenny G. Fresh light jazz with a Latin theme.
New material and new label with good audio engineering.

Kenny G has become synonymous with the alto saxophone. For many years he has entertained us with his sexy, sometimes mystical sound. A song that immediately comes to mind that embodies his overall sound, is Songbird, from many years ago.

Kenny's latest album Rhythm and Romance contains a very juicy Latin flavor that leaves you wanting to dance around the room like Salma Hayek in Fools Rush In. The sound is relaxing at times and energizing at others. On many tracks, Kenny G pairs himself with Spanish vocals, which add to the rich sound this album has so wonderfully captured. Rhythm and Romance would be a wonderful addition to any upcoming spring or summer party- surely adding that ambiance people enjoy.

Listen to the tracks on Amazon, and hear for yourself how hypnotizing this album is. I've found myself wanting to listen to it over and over again. Tracks range in length from Just over 3 minutes to a whopping 7 minutes in length. The best thing about this album is that there is no particular tempo or melody that makes this album generic or repetitive. He has a range of latin style- fast, slow, instrumental, vocal- you've got it all here.

So whether it's your first time hearing Kenny G, or your hundredth, this album will not disappoint. Grab it for your collection, and celebrate this great cultural achievement that Kenny has made.

First let me say how much I despise Kenny G...his music puts me to sleep...blah and sappy come to mind when I think of his music. HOWEVER, I heard a great Latin sax song on the radio the other day in my car and sat in the parking lot waiting to hear the title of the song and the artist. When she announced it was a new Kenny G album you could have knocked me over w/a feather! No way!! It's hard to sit still listening to this album! I want to rhumba, tango or salsa...there's no way this is Kenny G!! He also goes off into jazzland w/this but always w/that Latin beat behind him. If he stays on this track he'll lose some fans but I'll bet he gains more than he loses!!! BRAVO!!

I bought this CD after going to see Kenny G at a concert he gave here in Guadalajara, so I had heard the music already and was delighted by it. But sometimes artists improvise and even go away from the versions on their CDs. As expected, I was not disappointed. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and recommended to all my friends because, since they hadn't gone to see him perform (ha-ha!) they would be able to listen to this wonderful album. I didn't know all the songs but enjoyed them all because they are great. Bésame mucho is a song that I know since I was little and have heard it sung by many artists before; well, Kenny G managed to aced it and I felt so good I sung it out loud, even in front of my children, that seemed amused by their enthusiastic mother. I strongly recommend this CD, if not because you like this kind of music, because you love jazz and Kenny's sax. I guarantee you that you'll feel like these talented musicians are playing just for you!

Rhythm and Romance is pretty inventive, and it melds that soprano sax with Latin music very well. I have always been a fan, but I didn't listen to his CDs for awhile until I went to his 3/14/08 concert. In short, the guy can play mean jazz on that sax. He knows that people make fun of his stuff, so he makes sure that you know he is good by playing next to you in the aisle, and in the balcony as well. The guy is THAT good. Make sure you see him during 2008's tour for Rhythm & Romance. I saw David Sanborn last year & he played for 30 minutes, took a break, and played for another 30 minutes. I know Sanborn is a serious jazz king on his type of saxophone, but when people pay money to see ya, you should be playing for 2 hours straight (like Kenny G).