Customer Reviews

Right Here Right Now

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not your typical "musac". This is a groovy, soulful and tender jam session with Mr. David Benoit fronting it all.
Right from the start (Watermelon Man) you are "chillin" and "groovin". The title track (Right Here, Right Now) comes next and your feet still have the tendency to keep tapping (thanks in part to one of my favorite trumpeters Rick Braun).
Le Grand brings the groovin down a couple of notches. Le Grand is the kind of song that goes well with a couple of glasses of your best Aussie Shiraz. His version of Norah Jones' Don't Know Why comes next. Either version (his or hers) is fantastic. If you are hungry try some Jellybeans and Chocolate. This is a little groovy ditty which gets some serious jammin' with the help of Brian Culbertson and Euge Groove (song co-written by Benoit and Rick Braun). Let's get a little casual and take a listen to Third Encounter. This song forces you to sit and let your mind drift. For a more retro feel try a little Swingin' Waikiki; the feel pulled right from the 60's style of musac.
For a change of pace try a little live recording called Wistful Thinking. This song was recorded by Benoit's own band and I must say, it was very, very nice.
I rank David Benoit as one of the best in smooth jazz. I place him with such "instrumentalists" as Rick Braun, Jim Brickman, Down to The Bone and Chris Botti.
This one fabulous cd.

I've had the privilege of listening to this CD and then hearing several of the cuts in a live concert in Chicago. No disappointments in either one - in fact, some of the best music I've heard in years and I've been a soundman for 25 years now. I have to say, this guy has incredible talent, he works with other incredible talent, and the results are outstanding. You can tell he really enjoys what he's doing.

This release isn't like those of so many other artists with only one or two decent cuts - it's a solid work all the way through. Even the covers (Watermelon Man for instance) have a freshness that in my opinion makes them better than the originals.

I have a particular fondness for some of David's other work (American Landscape ranks among my all-time favorites for its vastness and well-executed experimental quality), and I've been listening to his music since about 1987. This release is my hands-down favorite of all his work, and should be on the list of must-haves for every music lover.

I've been a David Benoit fan since the early 80s, and unfortunately, this latest recording comes nowhere close to the quality of his earlier efforts. I get the feeling this was a contract fulfillment for GRP--I believe Benoit is now with Peak Records, where hopefully he'll regain some of freedom to record the adventurous and tasteful music he's recorded in the past. This latest effort is almost as bland and faceless as most $mooth Jazz on the radio today--I can barely tell this is a David Benoit recording, he's so buried in the mix. Rick Braun's heavy, slick "formula" over-production does not win any points here and, in my opinion, is a lot of the problem with this recording: it panders to the $mooth Jazz crowd, not contemporary jazz fans (such as myself) who value melody and musicianship over fitting a radio-friendly formula. I get the feeling I'm listening to a Rick Braun recording with Benoit as guest artist...and this is not a good thing! For instance, this is the blandest cover of "Watermelon Man" I've ever heard. I'm waiting for Benoit to give us another excellent album like "Letter To Evan", where he displays his considerable piano chops and yet, still gives us memorable melodies of his own, and his unique cover versions of others' tunes done in his inimitable contemporary style. Skip this one unless you're a completist (like I am); if you're just starting out, get one of GRP's compilations, or pick up a few choice gems from his 80s and early 90s catalog.

This album is cool. Really, really!!! I like it alot. Especially the song Jellybeans and chocolate, it's really the best. Why? Because it's so lively and upbeat. It has a catchy tune that's really great...sorry for using the word "really" alot... it is the best word to describe this album!

GREAT CD!! You gotta own this. Also an awesome christmas gift. Ideal for moms and dads who dont have the collection. You cant get this on the radio. Give it up for David Benoit, best songwriter and singer in parents minds.

This album is bold, melodic, upbeat, with an attitude. There are no filler songs. In fact it's filled with hits which is rare for a jazz/smooth jazz album. It's clear this album is clean and polished unlike some of David's latest work which may lack the same amount of production. It's by far some of the best work by David Benoit. Highly underrated, highly recommended.

3rd encounter is fantastic and that is why I bought this CD....David is one of my favorite artists ....the whole CD is good but this cut is superior.

It is tough to find which CDs of David Benoit that I want to use with massage. Some have too fast of a pace
and this as I recall was not suitable as background music. It is still good easy listening music.

I love the whole album! My favorites are "Watermelon Man," "Jellybeans & Chocolate" and "Don't Know Why." I didn't think I'd like "Don't Know Why," but it's amazing. Buy this CD and give it to everyone you know.

This is a happy, feel good CD. It puts you in a groovy mood and the slower tunes, makes you feel like swaying to the beat. My favorite song is 'Jellybeans and Chocolate'. It's an upbeat tune that makes my toe tap. So glad I bought this smooth jazz CD~