Customer Reviews

Stars

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I noticed a lot of people have complained about the amount of vocals on this album. I don't mind a few, but "Stars" has too many. So I decided to give a score for each song and see what it averaged out to.
1. Smile (Instr.) 95, 2. On & On (vocal) 92, 3. Out of the Blue (Instr.) 88, 4. Stars (vocal) 75, 5. F.L.A. Swing (Instr.) 95,
6. I Wonder (vocal) 85, 7. Gingerbread Man (Instr.) 92, 8. Change (vocal) 75, Mojo (Instr.) 88, Here For You (vocal) 70, Gonna Be Alright (Instr.) 95. So it comes out to 950 total points divided by 11 songs = 86.4 overall rating. The instrumentals averaged 92.1 and the vocals 79.4.

I could live without the songs: "Stars," "Change" and "Here For You." Substitute another good vocal like "On and On" and add another good instrumental and she'd have a top notch album. I don't care for her singing too much except for the song "On and On." She tries to sound too young and she's almost 40 years old. Overall I like the album minus those 3 dud vocals.

On some of MIndi's first albums, there was a lot of Jazz and especially some great smooth Sax. Occasionally she would add in some vocals to the mix and that was nice. On this CD, there are several songs totally missing her great Sax playing or with very very little of it. At times this is just a pop music CD with an average female vocalist with some sax in the background. Maybe others like it, I don't. Those few songs here that are completely jazz / sax infused are very enjoyable.

I would have to agree with S. Banks' review. There are a few pleasing songs on the CD that stay true to smooth jazz. Obviously, her first single release "Smile"--the song that made me excited about this CD coming out in the first place--fits the bill, as do other tracks such as "F.L.A. Swing," "Gonna Be Alright" and "Gingerbread Man." However, Mindi has simply taken the singing too far, and I was disappointed. Every other song on the CD, literally (essentially every even-numbered song), features her vocals and doesn't really sound like a smooth jazz song. This is Mindi's biggest departure from her CD "It Just Happens That Way," which I, unfortunately, still believe was her best CD, no contest. I truly found myself wondering while listening to this CD if Mindi is hoping to eventually cross over into maybe mainstream adult contemporary (where artists like Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, etc, who used to be huge in pop now live) rather than continue to do smooth jazz, because this just made me think this is a blatant attempt by her to get noticed vocally and/or outside of jazz.

I like basically all genres of music, but smooth jazz based on good sax, piano or guitar with a nice little mainstream flavor (cool beat, strong melody) added in and no vocals is almost entirely the only recent music I listen to and look forward to when released. Yet, speaking as someone who likes various genres, the majority of her non-smooth jazz songs are not good enough for Mindi to seriously want to stray into other genres (they are okay upon a second or third listen, but just kind of like a cold bucket of water dumped on your head if you got this CD thinking you were about to hear 11 smooth jazz songs), and her vocals are not strong enough for that, either. Maybe the CD would have been more tolerable otherwise to someone who does appreciate pop and adult contemporary.

Still, I think doing anything other than smooth jazz is a waste for Mindi, as it's painfully obvious that's where her talent is at a maximum. That's why this CD is only halfway good, and it's a shame because she could have put out a CD that was incredible if she had just stuck with the genre, maybe doing vocals and/or a more mainstream sound in a couple songs only. Those who are not as bothered by vocals and a sound that's not really smooth jazz, love Mindi almost unconditionally and/or really liked her last CD (which I didn't) will probably enjoy this CD, regardless.

I was really disappointed with this album. I like Mindi's singing, but this album lacked the depth and sophistication of her other albums. This album is more like elevator music. I donated this CD to my local library after the first time I listened to it. It sounds like she cranked this album out in a hurry.

I have been a huge Mindi fan since her first album. Back then, and to an extent now, she reminded me of her own mentor, Mr. David Sanborn. I enjoyed him for years so naturally I appreciate Mindi. Buy the CD because it's good to have in the collection. The instrumentals are slammin and years from now, you will be playing them!!! The vocals, ya may want to skip over them. Sorry Mindi :( I think she tried to show a little diversity but it's her 'horn tooting' that we all fell in love with. Now, I have to say that I saw her this past weekend at the Long Beach Jazz festival. I was shocked to see that MANY of the vocal songs were left off the live performance and she stuck with the songs her true fans love. So my Final Answer is this: When playing Stars, skip every other song because they include vocals, PLEASE do buy her old stuff [for the new comers], and without a doubt....see her live on stage. You WILL NOT be disappointed there.

I bought this CD thinking that it was going to be a progression with Mindi Abair's talent from her previous releases but I was sadly mistaken. She's trying way too hard to sing and she should spend more time practicing the saxophone. So I've "heard" that David Sanborn is one of her main influences, so on this CD "Stars"; she needs to go back to the drawing board with this lame excuse for a release. Call Mr. Sanborn for lessons.

I wasted my money with this one. STOP SINGING....PLEASE!!!

This album has nice songs that are easy to listen to and Mindi's unique voice along with her unique sax style. There is nothing wrong with this album except that if you listen to her first three albums, you have essentially heard this one. By her fourth album, I would expect something different, maybe a little change in direction, trying something new but that didnt happen here. They say dont mess with success but in music if you stay in the same groove it wears out and after owning her first three albums her groove wore out on me in number four.

If this is your first Mindi experience, you will enjoy it. If its your fourth, you may find it a bit worn. She is a talented lady who knows how to promote herself and her music but this year I am going to pass on her live show because I dont think I'll hear anything different from last year. While seemingly being the female Dave Koz as far as promotion, she may want to talk to Dave about keeping the music fresh-he is a master at that.

A nice smooth jazz CD ruined by too many mediocre vocals. Why do so many jazz players feel the need to impose their singing on audiences who really aren't interested. I suspect the answer is: Hit it as a singer, get a much bigger payoff. Fact is there are very few Nat Coles, Diana Kralls, George Bensons. Get over it and start blowing the sax!

Ever since Mindi's "It Just Happens That Way" was released, I have been faithfully buying her new releases. That will change, finally, with this release. I will only buy the songs where she hits her saxy instrumental groove. She has been putting out more and more vocals and those songs come off as too "pop" and not enough smooth jazz for me. I can't help but be reminded of Olivia Newton John's breathy vocals and I don't need any more of that.

I love Mindi Abair. I love her music, and I love her personality. This was the first album I got from Mindi Abair after seeing her in 2009, and while it is awesome I'm not so crazy for the vocals. But I still like them, but I think Mindi's instrumentals are better than her vocals. My favorite instrumental song on Stars is Smile, and my favorite vocal song is Change.