Customer Reviews

Surrender

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jonathan shines again as usual. "This Is Love" is an upbeat spiritual song that reflects his love for our creator. It is my favorite of his 5 vocal songs on this CD. Very lush and soulful....Other standouts are "Pata Pata" an instrumental with Jonathan's beautiful strings accompanying. "Surrender" another instrumental with a real soulful groove. This one also features Boney James on Soprano Sax. "Take Me Back" and "River Of Life are the 2 other selections with a spiritual tone. "Back To Love" is a very nice and romantic love song allows Jonathan to show off his very fine gift for adlib. That the song ended too soon would be my only complaint. He could have gone on and on in my opinion! Then there is my favorite instrumental "Many Faces" I love the use of the organ sound from the keys. Even though it is an instrumental we still get to enjoy his vocal riffs.

This is a great buy from a truly gifted artist. If you enjoy fine vocals, beautiful guitar and accompanying instruments. Pick this one up!

This is the cd that starts my day each morning. I read a review about it somewhere and decided to give it a listen. Only very special cd's get the honor of being the wake up call. A wonderful balance of instrumental and vocals make for the best of both worlds. I agree with the other reviewer who said "Take Me Back" is her favorite. It is mine also. I particularly enjoyed the collaboration between Jonathan and Boney James on Surrender. It's a beautiful selection and they complement each other wonderfully. I've always enjoyed his instrumentation and this is no exception. This would be a wonderful addition to any smooth jazz collection. The spiritual theme this cd resonates also makes for a very special musical experience. A job well done!

I'm truly impressed. Jonathan, and all involved in the making of this CD, took their time and did this right. There is a "balance" of 5 vocal, "and" 5 instrumental tracks. Each (I believe) can stand on its on and become a top charting hit, if given the deserving airtime. I'm so happy for You Jonathan.

This is one of Jonathan Butler's best works to date. I must say from the time I put the disk in I've been mesmerized by not only his arrangements, but for his selections well. I would be doing this CD a great injustice if I pick one as my favorite, but "this is love" would have to be the one. I think that there is a little some for all JAZZ you aficionado

I am recovering addict to the JB Surrender CD!

I listen to the CD on my way to work, on my way home, and before I go to sleep at night. Every new CD Jonathan Butlers delivers gets better and better. I didn't think he could top "Do You Love Me?" but he did!...

This is a definite for the Jonathan Butler Lovers & Smooth Jazz Lovers. I will be filling many stocking this Christmas with this CD. Everyone that hears it - weather a JB fan or not LOVEs IT.

Another great album of music from an extremely talented artist. There is not one song on this album that is "filler" -- everything is very well done. This is one stellar outing from Jonathan, an album that was played over and over again and didn't leave the cd player for days (yes, really). Great vocals, great instrumentals, great production.

Well done, Jonathan!

I buy every Jonothan Butler CD as soon as they come out; I'm just that confident of his work. This CD is fast becoming one of my favorites -- second only to "Story of Life."

My favorite cut is "Take Me Back," but there is no weak song on the entire CD.

I'm already waiting for the NEXT CD!

It's surprising how fresh Jonathan Butler still sounds after all these years. "This is love" opens the album smart and slow, with a beautiful and decent organ sound in the background and a nice refrain melody you like to join in from the beginning. Followed by two typical JB instrumental songs, featuring the very special style of JB's acoustic solo guitar. Reading the song title "Take me back" made me think that this was a cover version of an Andrae Crouch Song from 1973, but then I discovered that this is a different song, but not less interesting at all. Especially because the meaning and the intension of the words seem to be the same. As you listen to "The River" and "African Moon", the album's mood changes more to some kind of african style, revealing the musicians roots. Very smooth, very nice. You will shurely like it.

I have followed Jonathan Butler since his entrance into the contemporary smooth jazz field in the early 80s where he was sometimes overshadowed by George Benson because both had similar talents, i.e, extraordinary guitarmanship as well as an equally impressive vocal range However, Jonathan quickly stood on his own merit and has an added dimension because of the South African flavor of his compositions. This newest outing is positively wonderful. It is equally balanced with the same amount of vocal tracks as instrumentals and all are simply exquisite. There are no duds/fillers and the production is top-notch. Unfortunately, I think this album, a recording gem, will be lost in the shuffle due to poor advertising/air play/promotion. But I urge you all to go buy this outing from a premiere jazz instrumentalist/vocalist. You will not be disappointed.

This c.d is one of the greatest! The songs are arranged so beautifully and the lyrics are touching. "Thoughts Of You" is a lovely ballad and one of my favorites. The whole album is just easy to listen to and you can listen through the entire thing without skipping through any of the tracks which is a rare find. I am very pleased with this work of Jonathan Butler's and I look forward to a lot more of his music.