Boney James & Rick Braun - Shake It Up (2000)

A better than average smooth jazz collaboration. I've never been a huge fan of either one of these guys, but they play off each other well. When it comes to this pairing, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is better than any of their respective solo stuff. Still, any CD I own by one of these artists was purchased used. For those of you that follow smooth jazz, you'll recognize Paul Brown's production style immediately.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #78
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1

Tracks:  Grazin' In the Grass is one of my all-time favorite instrumentals. There are two versions here (a needless version with vocals, and a better one without), and while the instrumental is my favorite cut on this disc, it don't come close to the standard set by the Hugh Masekela version. The title cut is also good.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Boney James - Body Language (1999)
Boney James - Sweet Thing (1997)
Rick Braun - Beat Street (1995)

Boney James - Sweet Thing (1997)

As far as smooth jazz goes, this isn't bad. James is ten times better than Kenny G. I picked this up for $1; it is easily worth twice that. Now that I listen more to streaming services at work, my purchase of used smooth jazz CDs has come to a screeching halt.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #112 (June 28, 1997)
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #2
• Billboard R&B: #49

Tracks: Most are R&B lite and good for background music. The songs that catch my ear are the title track (a cover of a 1975 Rufus song) and After The Rain. I don't care much for Words (Unspoken) or, despite guest vocals from Al Jarreau, the plodding I Still Dream.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Body Language (1999)

Boney James - Body Language (1999)

Just a used smooth jazz CD I bought for background music at work - musical wallpaper, if you will. It serves that purpose well.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #91
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #1

Tracks: These are all mid-tempo R&B influenced tracks. None stand out.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None