Search - Corky Mcclerkin :: Island of Dreams

A Delightful Medley

10/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ISLAND OF DREAMS serves a worldly-wise medley of delicious new and standard tunes that saunter and swing in a body of sophisticated rhythms, sing from the soul of the African diaspora, and think with the eloquence and polish of jazz.McClerkin's renditions of "The Look of Love," and, especially, "In a Sentimental Mood," offer fresh takes--the former with its upbeat island rhythms and catchy new phrasing; the latter with lush chord changes that seem to chime the very lyrics of this ballad. And McClerkin's own instrumental works, especially "Slick 'N Slide" and "Cancel Me Out," reveal a talent for writing that should easily put his charts on bandstands everywhere.Vocals aren't lacking here either: "Africa" and "Los Ninos" are loving homages that are impossible to resist dancing to, and "Don't You Know How Come," with Dee Alexander's saucy vocals, and "I Say Freedom," featuring an uplifting lyric that is espeically fitting considering today's global tensions, linger long after you've heard them. But the lovliest of all is surely "Farewell, My Friend," which, on the heels of the latin-infused "Los Ninos," is a heartstring-tugging R&B melody infused with harmonies--rendered with precision by Joan Colasso and Kevin McIlvaine--that take your breath away. This ballad invites a salute to McClerkin's incredible ability to compose absolute beauty."Island of Dreams" is truly a feast for ears; it's a delicious blend of Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Latin, and African melodies and rhythms that make for a wonderful worldly-wise medley."