Kim Waters - Someone To Love You (2002)

"The sexiest sound in smooth urban jazz" - well, at least that's what it says on the back cover. It's a claim Waters tries his best to live up to (and often succeeds). Waters has a nice tone and his composition/production skills are in top form here. It's all very easy to listen to, often more instrumental R&B than jazz at times. Of the three Waters CDs on my shelves, this was the first I purchased and I think it's the best. Waters isn't taking any chances here and that's just what his listeners expect. It's perfect for a late night romantic rendezvous with my lady at my downtown loft overlooking the city lights as we sip a merlot. Waitaminute - I don't have a downtown loft, don't drink wine, and can't seem to stay up past 10 PM. Never mind (but the music's still good).

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: I was hooked from the first time I heard Waterfall on a smooth jazz radio station. Other good tracks are You Know That I Love You, The Ride, Riverside Drive, and the Chuck Loeb collaboration In The House. I don't normally skip any tracks plus the sequencing flows well.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: During my grad school days in Houston, I often listened to the now defunct jazz station (KHJZ, the "Wave") on the commute so this disc always reminds me of that time (2004-06) and that station.

Previously revisited for the blog:
One Special Moment (1999)
Peaceful Journey (1993)

Kim Waters - Peaceful Journey (1993)

I don't think this album sold many copies. I've been able to find only one review online and that is the one customer review on Amazon.com. I bought my copy for $2 in the clearance bin at Half-Price Books. I normally enjoy Waters' saxophone playing and his brand of soulful urban jazz, but this wasn't his best release. Definitely an early '90s production, the only "playing" credits on the album are for saxophone, vocals, keyboards, and Macintosh programming. As a result, some of this music hasn't aged well. On the other hand, a few tracks don't sound much different from what's coming out today. Harmless smooth jazz, possibly worth the $2.

Tracks: Skip the cover of Boyz II Men's End Of The Road, although the cover of Venessa Williams' Save The Best For Last is good. The remaining cuts are originals and, as mentioned earlier, there's a few good cuts here: Never Leave Me, Silky Smooth, and Easy Does It. The drum machine is more than I can take on Kick It. Miles Jaye, a former singer in the Village People, adds his vocals to Late Night Hour ('nuff said).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
One Special Moment (1999)

Kim Waters - One Special Moment (1999)

Not a bad urban jazz/R&B album, Kim Waters is better than a lot of other smooth jazz artists. There's a nice vocal take on Soulful Strut included.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Contemporary Jazz: #7