Tune It in

Tom Grant | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B00004GP2J
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,516 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though he's more of a consistent purveyor of funky and melodic keyboard elegance than an artist labels try to push into the star category, contemporary jazz fans have been tuning in to Tom Grant for over 20 years--long before there was an official name for "smooth jazz." One of the ways Grant kept the music fresh on Tune It In involved dividing the production duties. He produced one tune himself and six with longtime coproducer and cowriter Phil Baker. Grant also called in popular smooth-jazz guitarist and producer Ray Obiedo to help produce the remaining tracks. Grant's very first recording, Mystified, came out in 1976, and he and Baker try their darnedest to capture the fusion vibe of that time on the title track of "Tune It In." Grant floats a joyous melody over a punchy, percussive groove, throbbing bass lines, and Baker's occasional wah-wah guitar spurts. Grant has long been one of smooth-jazz's most endearing balladeers, and the following three tracks feature his eloquence in this area. A cover of 98 Degrees' "Invisible Man" showcases the gently funky bass and seductive tenor sax of the Braxton Brothers, while the balmy, breezy "Generous Heart" finds Grant's melody dancing happily over the warm, tropical guitar cool of Obiedo. Obiedo also produced the swaying, irresistible cover of the Vanessa Williams hit "Save the Best for Last." --Jonathan Widran

From Jazziz

Veteran pianist and composer Tom Grant adds to his quarter-century catalog - and anoints his first CD for Windham Hill - with a title that winks at his weekly disc- jockey gig at a Portland, Oregon smooth-jazz station. His longevity and radio-honed musical instincts pay off with a state-of-the-art smooth-jazz project. The music is bursting with lush, romantic ballads, paced by pretty piano lines and up-tempo numbers, and infused with 21st-century hip-hop rhythms and R&B grooves. Grant is adept at choosing cover songs. He takes boy band "98 Degrees"' "Invisible Man" and gives it a sparkling touch, aided by the "Braxton Brothers" (Nelson on bass and Wayne on tenor sax) and guitarist Ray Obiedo (who also co-produces the song and several others). More magic is mined in Vanessa Williams' hit "Save the Best for Last," with Grant's unhurried playing setting a mellow mood, and in "Black Orpheus," where his jazz vocals are showcased. Grant is not a great singer - he'll be the first to admit it - but he knows his range and chooses songs accordingly. Grant is also adept at killer hooks, which he pulls out for "Mysterious Smile" and "Overnight Sensation," both given luster by percussion - the former with a touch of drum 'n' bass by Peter Michael Escovedo, the latter with a Latin feel supplied by Valerie Day.

--- Brian Soergel, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Tom, September 6, 2000

By 

Allen Davis (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tune It in (Audio CD)

"Tune It In" is vintage Tom Grant. I'm no music critic, but I do know what I like. And what I like is the consistent,smooth sound that Tom brings CD after CD. I appreciate the fact that he doesn't go off on a tanget somewhere trying to "find himself" as many smooth jazz artist have a tendacy to do on some CD's. I started listening to Tom about 9 or 10 years ago, and have yet to be dissappointed with anything that he's put out. If you're like me, and appreciate good music produced by an extemely talented musician doing what comes naturally for him to do, then I highly recommend this CD! Thanks, Tom for not trying anything crazy! Stay with what comes naturally for you and you'll have a life-long fan in me!! You're one of my favorites!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Misled on This One, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tune It in (Audio CD)

Actually I liked the title track very much. My smooth jazz station in Santa Barbara played it while I was on the road. I usually listen to my station while I unwind on the commute home. I called the DJ who also like the title track and said the CD was pretty good. The first review here gave me doubts - but I bought it anyway. I am not a fan of VERY mellow lounge jazz. I prefer faster rhythm jazz that is more in step with flying down the highway at 65mph. When I listen to slower jazz, it has to have a seductive molodic thread throughout the number. There is no tune that matches the title track here. However, I found that all the ODD tracks were fairly good. All the EVEN tracks were intolerably slow sleepy efforts that would be an excellent cure for insomnia. I programmed my work PC for the odd tracks and found it enjoyable. However, 50% on a CD cannot rate more than 3 stars with me. Warning! Listening to the even tracks at work may cause you to doze-off on the job.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars save the best for last is awesome, May 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tune It in (Audio CD)

The music as a whole is beautiful. Very relaxing, upbeat, easy listening.