Customer Reviews

Simple Truth

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like trying to divine the gospel from a sea of televangelists, the search for good modern jazz saxophone music is fraught with imposters and imitators. Welcome to the real thing. Jeff Kashiwa is one of the guys that somehow manages to remember to inject serious playing and writing into his albums rather than just stamp out a few more songs whose inspiration rises no higher than the loop on the drum machine.

Back when we called this genre "Fusion" or "Contemporary Jazz" and the oxymoronic word "smooth" never entered the equation, Jeff was cutting his teeth with the Rippingtons. One only need to have attended one of those Ripp's shows to know that Jeff had something special. Jeff's got more heart, soul, feel, & melodic sensibility than a hundred Boney Jameses or other soap-star-sax-player clogging the smooth jazz airways.

This CD builds on Jeff's last CD and features more outstanding song writing from Jeff and the brilliant Dave Kochanski (Rippingtons, George Duke, Norman Brown, etc.) From the hooky, four on the floor "Three Day Weekend" to the soulful ballads, this CD shines on every level... especially the dying art of songwriting. Oh, yeah, it also uses something really rare... actual live musicians interacting musically with each other.

In a genre that has been all but taken over by music to be listened to in elevators and dentist offices, it's great to have one artist stay true to his sound. Here he is, Jeff Kashiwa.

The premise was for Jeff Kashiwa and his band to travel to Germany and make this record. In Jeff's own words, he describes what happened there, "I can't begin to describe the magic that happened in Germany, but I want everyone to be a part of it. Chuck Loeb is an amazing producer and the creative collaboration of everyone involved was captured in those sessions. The spirit of this CD blossomed before my eyes and the experience of recording it with my friends changed me forever."

Who am I to disagree with Jeff that Chuck Loeb is a good producer; I already thought so. But it's the music...ahhh, the music. It's Jeff Kashiwa, with that amazingly light, airy, fetching tone pouring forth from every sax he plays. Melodic, rhythmic...magic; yeah, it is magic! It is NOT a "formula", mind you; that's a catch word that is just too simplistic to describe what happens on this disc.

This is a band, the Coastal Access Band, that gets in a groove, on nine tracks of about 44 minutes total, far enough away from the cares of this world. Jeff Kashiwa on saxes, Dave Kochanski on keyboards, Allen Hinds on guitar, Melvin Davis on bass and Dave Hooper on drums make a musical statement on this album that jazz is about playing honest, original music; these guys play off of each other and play from the heart, creating music like there's no tomorrow. Sure, there's some synth, some electric, but it's alive with feeling.

All of the music is original, written by Kashiwa, Kochanski or both, and all of it is good. Everyone will have some faves and mine are Voices, A Quiet Goodbye (featuring Mark Ellis Stephens on piano), Simple Truth (again with Mark Ellis Stephens on piano), Mediterranean Nights (featuring Chuck Loeb on classical guitar), and Thanks To You. A horn section consisting of Michael Davis(trombone), Barry Danielian(trumpet) and David Mann(tenor sax) adds color and richness on 3-Day Weekend and Something About You; I always like that...I hope you do too. All the best to you.

This CD is special. It has soul. That's not an easy thing to do in a climate of heavy radio politics and less than reasonable budgets. The integrity of this group of musicians is inspiring. Mr. Kashiwa is an honest musician and his clarity is to be admired. I've listened to this CD in my car, at work, while I'm jogging, when I'm trying to motivate myself to be honest in my own music compositions and I must say that Simple Truth has had a profound impact on me for many reasons. Probably the biggest reason is because one day when "A Quiet Goodbye" was playing, my young son looked at me and said that he loved this song because it always makes him feel like crying. I asked him if the song made him feel sad. His response still blows me away. He said, "I want to cry because it's beautiful and I can feel the music inside my heart." Nothing could have moved me more than knowing my son found a deep connection to this great music. Kids are the most honest critics I know. My kid gave this CD the highest rating possible, which was his full listening attention from beginning to end.

Jeff Kashiwa has done what many thought would be impossible. To improve upon "Another Door Opens" is a real accomplishment. Jeff's tone is as sweet as can be. Dave Kochanski and Chuck Loeb brought out the fabulous abilities of Kashiwa and smoothed the whole release out wonderfully. Highly, highly recommended!

Since his departure from the Rippingtons, Jeff Kashiwa has proven that he has what it takes as a solo artist. If I were you, I'd purchase this CD not only for the sake of listening to Jeff Kashiwa. I'd purchase this CD because he and his band have perfect chemistry on all tracks listed. If you know anything about Jeff Kashiwa's music, you'll agree that this man has the goods. My favorite tracks? While I like all of the cuts on this CD, my absolute favorites are 6,7,and 8. "Simple Truth, Mediterranean Nights Intro, and Mediterranean Nights." Get the CD if you got the cash! I did. :)

If you're looking for something above the average Smooth Jazz CD, this is the ONE!!! Not only is Jeff at his best, but the music is deep and moving and touching and all the things most Smooth Jazz CDs are not. This is on my Top 5 list of 2002.

I have enjoyed Jeff Kashiwa's music since his last album, Another Door Opens. His style is unique and appealing. This album is even better. I am a fan of his music and style. This is a MUST buy for your music collection. I know you will like it. I certainly did.

This CD is special. It has soul. That's not an easy thing to do in a climate of heavy radio politics and less than reasonable budgets. The integrity of this group of musicians is inspiring. Mr. Kashiwa is an honest musician and his clarity is to be admired. I've listened to this CD in my car, at work, while I'm jogging, when I'm trying to motivate myself to be honest in my own music compositions and I must say that Simple Truth has had a profound impact on me for many reasons. Probably the biggest reason is because one day when "A Quiet Goodbye" was playing, my young son looked at me and said that he loved this song because it always makes him feel like crying. I asked him if the song made him feel sad. His response still blows me away. He said, "I want to cry because it's beautiful and I can feel the music inside my heart." Nothing could have moved me more than knowing my son found a deep connection to this great music. Kids are the most honest critics I know. My kid gave this CD the highest rating possible, which was his full listening attention from beginning to end.

I love this CD and I am growing more fond of this artist. His music is soothing, with an Asian, Mediterranean style..it's beautiful

This CD is not as good as the previous CD. I expected more.