The Benoit/Freeman Project (1994)

A collaboration from two smooth jazz artists whose music I don't normally purchase. I prefer Freeman on acoustic guitar to electric and Benoit's piano work is solid, but the writing is just good, not great. This is good enough for background music at work, but I won't be seeking out the Benoit/Freeman Project 2 from 2004.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #118
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #2
• CashBox Contemporary Jazz: #2

Tracks:  I enjoy Kenny Loggins' guest vocals on When She Believed In Me (particularly the catchy chorus) and Phil Perry's vocals on the cover of After The Love Is Gone. Sure, the cover doesn't add much to the original, but that's such a great song it would be difficult to mess up and it's always nice to hear. Also good is Swept Away, It's The Thought That Counts, and Smartypants which is worth hearing just for the rare Jerry Hey trumpet solo. Avoid Mediterranean Nights and The End Of Our Season.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  Purchased for $3 from the clearance rack in 2009. That price is probably about right.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons - Brave New World (1996)
David Benoit - The Best Of David Benoit: 1987-1995 (1995)

David Benoit - The Best Of David Benoit: 1987-1995 (1995)

Lightweight smooth jazz featuring Benoit on Piano. This is light melodic stuff; critic Alex Henderson described this sort of music as "new age with a beat." It's harmless enough occasional background music for me at the office. Not my favorite, but there's a definite market for this.

Tracks: The best tracks are Drive Time (which sounds like something from Flim & The BB's) and Freedom At Midnight. There are also a couple of fairly straight ahead covers of Vince Guaraldi tunes, Cast Your Fate To The Wind and Linus And Lucy. They're nice, but they don't swing like Guaraldi. In fact, nothing really swings here. I recommend skipping Searching For June, Urban Daydreams, and Mediterranean Nights.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None