Dave Koz is one of the better-known smooth jazz artists partially because he knows how to market himself: radio and TV host of syndicated smooth jazz programming, smooth jazz cruises, "Dave Koz and Friends" tours, not to mention TV appearances on The Weather Channel, Beverly Hills 90210, and Desperate Housewives. But all that promotion is for naught without good material. This album is a little ballad-heavy, but it is one of Koz's strongest releases. It has just the right combination of slick production and guest artists (Phil Perry, Maceo Parker, Clarence Clemons, Booker T. Jones) while utilizing a stable of first-call session musicians. It's the album of a young musician trying to find his own sound, but still commercial enough to find a place on the then-emerging smooth jazz radio market. It's just uneven and dated enough that I don't listen to it much these days other than the few tracks I've ripped to iTunes.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #176
Tracks: The album starts off strong with Shakin' The Shack followed by You Make Me Smile. Also good are Tender Is The Night and Wait A Little While. People may recognize track 3, Faces Of The Heart, as it served as the theme for General Hospital for many years. I'm not a fan of Silver Lining and the attempt at hip-hop/jazz fusion, Don't Look Any Further.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Happy 21st birthday, Kelly Taylor.
Previously revisited for the blog:
December Makes Me Feel This Way (1997)
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