CD-Charts Position 1
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The Very Best of George Benson: the Greatest Hits of All

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: George Benson

Release Date June 09, 2008
There have been numerous 'Best Of George Benson' compilations over recent years, none of which have been all-inclusive (that is a probable marketing ploy). This re-packaged selection continues the trend; having said that, it does serve as a pleasing introduction to the superb fusion jazz/R&B/pop that Mr Benson serves up masterfully.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Breathless

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Kenny G

Release Date May 03, 1993
Enjoy taking the lift? Love a good long wait on hold? Find your toes tapping to the radio in the doctor's waiting room? Feel the urge to dance in the Cleaning Products and Binliners aisle in Morrisons? Then you'll love the insipid, soulless faux-jazz muzak of Kenny G.

Thinking about buying this (or any other) Kenny G record? I'll save you the effort; everything he's produced consists of irritatingly sharp pentatonic runs up and down, interrupted occasionally by a wavering, poorly-controlled long note followed by one of his half a dozen twiddly licks. Repeat until you feel the urge to vomit up your own lungs. This is a record of soul crushing dreariness, a reminder of just how suffocatingly vacuous some human beings are. 'Music' ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Ultimate Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Randy Crawford

Release Date June 06, 2005
Fabulous! I've not heard much of her lately but then I played the CD,s. I cannot think of a bad track. I find that I keep repeat playing most of the tracks I find it hard to move on. What is apparent throughout is the great playing from the band. Its great value and one that is being exclusively played in my car.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Definitive Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Herb Alpert

Release Date June 11, 2001
I love Herb Alpert. The best known stuff on this album are the likes of the superlatively bouncy Spanish Flea, the sublime A Taste of Honey, the energetic Tijuana Taxi, Tetris theme Zorba the Greek and of course the theme to the original Casino Royale (the one with David Niven) which is so clever it hurts. But there's nothing on this album that doesn't delight.

Mostly it's instrumental, brass band work and very good brass it is. Like a Mariachi band. It's jolly and fun, and it gets me in a good mood and that makes it pretty fab stuff.

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Very Best of Smooth Jazz - UCJ

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 24, 2002
it's not jazz.
I love every single song on these CDs and yes, as someone else pointed out, they are songs you'd recognise from films and adverts.
If you're a hardcore out and out jazz fan then this CD isn't really for you, but if you like easy listening jazzesque sounds then go for it, this CD is gorgeous.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Givin' It Up

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: George Benson Al Jarreau

Release Date November 06, 2006
If you love smooth jazz with all danger and surprise removed then you might go for this. If you are hoping to find Benson at the top of his game as a serious guitarist then give it a wide birth. Ditto with all other musicians here.

This CD is full of top-drawer talent but the problem is that they are all so very restrained and rehearsed and the result is low fat sweet cheese. YUK!

Al hardly sings a song on it and mostly just scats rhythmic ideas that sometimes sound like an old man running for a bus. Definitely out-sung by Benson here.

George is always great on a guitar, but again this is the super smooth George and lacks any real soul and conviction. (wish I could play like him though).

Just when I ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Lifecycle

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Yellowjackets, Mike Stern

Release Date May 19, 2008
If you love smooth jazz with all danger and surprise removed then you might go for this. If you are hoping to find Benson at the top of his game as a serious guitarist then give it a wide birth. Ditto with all other musicians here.

This CD is full of top-drawer talent but the problem is that they are all so very restrained and rehearsed and the result is low fat sweet cheese. YUK!

Al hardly sings a song on it and mostly just scats rhythmic ideas that sometimes sound like an old man running for a bus. Definitely out-sung by Benson here.

George is always great on a guitar, but again this is the super smooth George and lacks any real soul and conviction. (wish I could play like him though).

Just when I ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Give Me the Night

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: George Benson

Release Date April 24, 1984
I don't have much time for music that goes under the banner of disco, soul, etc., but occasionally those genres throw up something that I can't ignore. I've always had a liking for the title track of this album and, knowing that Benson is a renowned jazz performer and that he has some of the best assistance possible here, I took a chance. What a delight. Benson's jazz background shows up regularly, but 'Give Me The Night' is no less accessible an album. It has strong songs, such as 'Star Of The Story', great grooves and classy arrangements, courtesy of Quincy Jones. Perhaps 'Love X Love' is a touch too mild for an opening track, but 'Off Broadway' certainly kicks off. I'm not so sure Benson did anything as good as this 1980 album again. Later songs such ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Bringing Back the Funk [Us Import]

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Brian Culbertson

Release Date April 29, 2008
Born in Decatur Illinois in 1973 now based in Los Angeles California, keyboardist, trombone player, drummer, bassist and producer Brian Culbertson has always been the youthful and jovial fresh face of the smooth Jazz scene. Over the past number of years Brian has earned his stripes as a pioneer in the field of goodtime funky cool jazz. His total live performance experience, regular cavorting and jumping around the stage at his concerts with trombone in hand, grins, funny faces and poses with incredible playing from behind the Roland keyboard from where he stands show him as the true all round visual musical artist and entertainer.

Whenever I have attended any of the shows I have always been immediately impressed with not only the musical talent Brian ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Smooth Jazz - The Essential Album

CD-Charts > Music > Smooth Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 20, 2001
Of the 27 tracks on offer here a minimum of 11 are covers and some of the originals are from way back ie Grover Washington and Earl Klugh before the term Smooth Jazz had been dreamt up.

Dont get me wrong you get great musicians here and side one showcases some of the very best including Boney James, Rick Braun, Pieces of a Dream, Fourplay and the Rippingtons, where the CD falls down is side two where 10 0f the 13 tracks are from 1980 and before and would have probably fallen into the Jazz Funk category.

If you are looking to try a smooth jazz album I would recommend hunting down old Jazz FM compliations which are going very cheap on this site eg 101 Eastbound a penny, a bargain with more upto date artists.