Sophistication

Grady Nichols | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compendia
• ASIN: B00029J1X6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tuesday Morning

2. Livin' The Life

3. Sneak

4. End Of The Night

5. All Right

6. Dinner And A Movie

7. Within The Blue

8. Behind The Scenes

9. Circle Of Friends

10. Alone With You

11. Quiet Times

Editorial Reviews

Smooth Jazz News/July 2004

"His appearance with the top saxmen in the genre confirms his emerging status as a star on the rise..."

Product Description

"The title says it all...SOPHISTICATION. This indeed is a sophisticated, polished, impeccably produced and performed Smooth Jazz sax album! It sounds like someone who's been around a long time, is totally comfortable with this music, and has surrounded himself with some of the best in the biz, like Jeff Lorber (who, by the way, calls Grady "the awesome new sax player of the millennium."), as well as Chris Botti, A. Ray Fuller, and Paul Brown. This album overflows with quality, as well it should with Grady's superb playing (mostly on the alto sax), Jeff Lorber producing and Paul Brown mixing. This Tulsa family man is totally tuned in to what works in Smooth jazz, and has delivered it in abundance on this, his 4th release (first for Compendia). The first radio single, "Allright," is already in power rotation on many Smooth Jazz radio stations, and there are more hits ready to go on this collection. The funky "Livin' the Life," the perfectly smooth "Dinner and a Movie," and the seductive "End of the Night," featuring Chris Botti, are just three that stand out for me. There are no clinkers at all on SOPHISTICATION, it's all very good. This is one of those "no-brainer" albums. If you love Smooth Jazz, then getting Grady Nichols' SOPHISTICATION into your private music collection is pretty much a given. Enjoy!" ~Scott O' Brien, Smoothjazz.com

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Buy It, May 27, 2004

By 

Christopher Burks "bobojenkins" (Ellenwood, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sophistication (Audio CD)

After seeing Grady at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, I went right out and bought this CD. I has been in hte CD player in my truck all week. Grady delivers a funky yet smooth sound much like David Sanborn. If he continues to team with major talent like Jeff Lorber for his productions, this man will really go places. Everyone who has ridden with me this week has purchased this CD.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At long last, April 28, 2004

By 

Gary Starr (REDDITCH, Worcs United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sophistication (Audio CD)

Five stars just aren't enough to describe the quality of this CD.
After producing 3 mediocre CDs - very poor recording quality and average songs - this, his fourth CD finally delivers the goods. Even though I didn't highly rate his first 3 CDs I decided to go ahead and buy this one, simply because there is a unique quality about the man's playing - he's right up there with Sanborn and Koz, but just lacked the material to match his undoubted talent. With this new CD he has teamed up with his and my hero Jeff Lorber, who not only co-writes but produces and engineers everything. Gradys true potential has finally been realised..great songs, brilliant production and engineering. Difficult to pick out a top track as they are all so good but would recommend Tuesday Morning and Within the Blue as standout tunes. Make this man a major star and buy this CD.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Churches, private functions, wine tasting parties....., August 11, 2004

By 

[e-mail] (T dot-O dot, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sophistication (Audio CD)

seems like Nichols has played his sax in front of every last person in Tulsa,OK and Sophistication should extend his reach. The CD has actually been offered for sale on his website for sometime now. Brought under the wing of veteran keyboardist Jeff Lorber and producer Paul Brown, you are certain of quality performances and audio. As mentioned above, Chris Botti and A.Ray Fuller join Grady on this effort which opens with the two very strong tracks Tuesday Afternoon and the very urban Livin' the Life. Other highlights include the single All Right, End of the Night with Botti, and the best track on the CD, Alone With You which exhibits Grady's superb alto voice. Sophistication is as good or better than 2004 releases of Euge Groove, Kim Waters and Marion Meadows. This is definitely a spiritual, soulful, talented artist on the verge of a deserved breakthrough....