Feels So Good
dang ol' mega lo mart, dang ol' smooth jazz
I gave y’all a teaser a few weeks back with my mention of the one and only Kenny G, so it’s time to pay the piper. Let’s dive into some smooth jazz.
If you’ve ever been on hold with a large impersonal multinational corporation, you know what it sounds like: equal parts jazz fusion, R&B, and AM Gold pop, all with nary a trace of aggression. Good smooth jazz is like a warm embrace on an overcast day. (Bad smooth jazz is bland, insipid, and usually played by Kenny G. Sorry, Kenny. It’s true.)
Now let’s get to the list. The usual caveats apply: this is only my opinion, it will change quicker than the weather, and it’s best not to dwell on the process. Disagreements are welcome, encouraged, and almost certainly deserved. Still no Kenny G, though. I have standards.
10. She Likes to Watch - The Rippingtons
Russ Freeman is the main creative force behind the Rippingtons, and he may be the best guitarist you’ve never heard (unless you watch a good amount of the Weather Channel). This particular song is from their first album in 1986, with the then-relevant title of Moonlighting. They have been recording and playing steadily since, with a rotating cast of supporting musicians. 2012’s Built to Last even includes a feature solo from Zakk Wylde.
9. Angela (Theme from “Taxi”) - Bob James
If you watched a lot of “Nick at Nite” in the 90’s, you’re intimately familiar with Bob James’s most recognizable composition. Well, that’s not entirely true. “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” and “Nautilus” are two of the most sampled songs of all time, but neither is as well-known as a complete work like “Angela” is. James got his start with Quincy Jones and Sarah Vaughan, but quickly transitioned to recording under his own name, then later with a veritable murderer’s row of smooth jazz stalwarts as "Fourplay”. Recently, he began working directly with his samplers, collaborating with Ghostface Killah, 9th Wonder, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
8. Open Your Heart - Nite Flyte
Nite Flyte is the product of jazz veteran Tony Campbell, who released two albums under the group name in the late 1990’s. Their music is all over the place in terms of classification, but still within the broad jazz umbrella. Certain songs veer from acid jazz to crossover to even third-wave, but this track from 1999’s Ascension is solidly smooth.
7. Rain Dance / Wanna Fly - Jeff Lorber Fusion
Jeff Lorber is who we can blame for the rise of Kenny G. His 1980 album Wizard Island introduced young Gorelick to the world, and the recording was Lorber’s first to rise to #1 on the US Jazz Album chart. Lorber has atoned since then, steadily releasing albums through 1986. After a seven year hiatus inspired by his desire to defy his record label’s insistence on adding vocals to his songs, Lorber continued following his own path. This track from 2010’s Now Is The Time is a reworking of a 1979 song from Water Sign. If you think you recognize the song from somewhere but can’t place it, it’s sampled in Lil Kim’s “Crush on You”. Note to any budding producers: there’s thousands of smooth jazz albums with very usable tracks just like these.
6. Rise - Herb Alpert
If you argued that this wasn’t smooth jazz, I wouldn’t fight you too hard. I can see it as fusion, funk, even disco if you look at it from the right angle. But speaking of samples, this song is most memorable as the basis of the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize”. (First it was a Bell Biv Devoe sample, though. Never change, Puffy.) Herb Alpert became a trumpet megastar with the Tijuana Brass and such hits as “The Lonely Bull”, “Spanish Flea”, and of course the album Whipped Cream and Other Delights. You may not recognize the title, but you’ll know the cover:
Dang, y’all. That’s a lot for 1965 America. God bless Dolores Erickson.
5. Lily Was Here - Candy Dulfer and David A. Stewart
What do you get when one half of the Eurythmics invites a Dutch saxophonist’s daughter to jam at the end of a day’s recording? This one-take masterpiece that sold millions across the world. Originally part of the soundtrack Stewart was tasked with composing for the film De Kassière, the song was a massive breakthrough hit for Dulfer in particular, serving as a springboard for her entire career. In addition to her own work, she has served as a sideman (sidewoman? sideperson?) for such luminaries as Prince, Pink Floyd, and fusions legends Tower of Power.
4. Mister Magic - Grover Washington Jr.
We now move into the smooth jazz canon. The four pillars of smoothness. Supported by the breathtaking rhythm section of Gary King (bass) and Harvey Mason (drums), Eric Gale’s guitar parts wrap themselves around the foundation, strengthening the platform for Washington’s superb saxophone. Check the break at about six minutes in if you need something to sample, by the way. Sure, it’s been used by Nas, Heavy D, and DJ Jazzy Jeff (among others), but don’t let that stop you. Robert Christgau only gave the album a “B-”, but I assure you he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. This song is as good as anything else from the genre. These top four are essentially interchangeable to me.
3. Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione
Save the King of the Hill jokes. (I already made one in the subheading, after all.) Prior to becoming an animated punchline, Chuck Mangione was the unquestioned master of the jazz flugelhorn. 1977’s album of the same name was Mangione’s biggest international hit, reaching #2 on the Hot 100. The driving bass thump provided by Charles Meeks works in lockstep with the piano parts (also played by Mangione) in order to showcase Grant Geissman’s spectacular noodling. Be sure and listen to the album version that runs nearly ten minutes to get the full effect.
2. Morning Dance - Spyro Gyra
How many hit songs that aren’t reggae feature the steel pan prominently? It should be more. That goes for all non-drum percussion, too. For that matter, we should all listen to more go-go. Anyway, this song from the pen of Jay Beckenstein is a staple of public radio show music beds, adult contemporary playlists, and grocery store loudspeakers throughout the nation. It is just exciting enough to catch your ear, but just gentle enough to recede into the background. It’s a delicate, lilting thing that sticks in your head in the best and worst possible ways.
1. Breezin’ - George Benson
I usually exclude covers in these lists unless they are the focus, but you cannot talk about smooth jazz without talking about “Breezin’”. Originally recorded in 1971 by Gábor Szabó, the Bobby Womack composition was transformed in 1976 by a crack team of session musicians into a work of art that is simultaneously airy and light while also being earthy, dense, and fundamentally funky. Harvey Mason (remember him from above?) is the bedrock, while Phil Upchurch serves as both rhythm guitarist and bassist. Benson’s soulful, tender licks dance in counterpoint with the keyboards of Ronnie Foster. It is the sound of an early summer afternoon, after the dew rises but before the heat settles in. The song only reached #13 on the US Easy Listening chart, proving that the American record buying public doesn’t know what’s good. Listen to this and let the waves of relaxation flow over you.
If you liked what you read, or feel compelled to read more of it because you hate it so much (I’m good either way), please:
and if you would like to listen to more smooth jazz handpicked by me, follow this link: