Search - Impromp2 :: It Is What It Is

Groovy, relaxed, playful and soulful. A must 'listen' to.

a tois | New York | 09/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Impromp 2 are the L.A.-based duo Johnny Britt and Sean Thomas.

This is their forth album from the duo, whose distinctive sophisticated jazz tinged soul sound has brought them many fans.

They are joined by a bunch of amazing artists such as Sekou Bunch on bass, George Duke on fender rhodes/clavinet, Harvey Mason,Sr. on drums, the late Wayman Tisdale on bass, Wah Wah Watson on guitar, Marcus Miller and Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington on bass.

Their return has brought us another top-drawer essential album for lovers of quality jazz/soul.

The title of the album is a statement from the duo. On the first track- which is the title track - a DJ asks the two musicians how "It Is What It Is" should be categorized: soul, jazz, funk...??

And Johnny and Sean reply, singing : "It Is What It Is".

This is an R&B/soul album that seamlessly draws from influences such as hip-hop, funk, R&B, neo-soul, pop, spoken word and jazz. These styles flow throughout the album, and can often be heard on the same song.

"Dance With U", "You're A Queen" and "I Wanna Know" are dancers that will appeal to the modern soul crowd.

"Good Thang" is a bright and breezy mid tempo dancer, their cover of Marvin Gaye's "Luv 2 Ball" is more uptempo than the original and the jazzier mid tempo "Mo Jazz" also works very nicely.

"It Is What It Is" is a nice mid tempo with a god hooks and the ballads "It Was Love" and "Keep Doin" are also good on this consistently good album with real, great instrumentation.

Overall, this is an formidable album of retro and modern jazz/soul grooves.

The album, after almost two years after its release (January 15, 2008), debuts at # 6 of the Billboard Top Jazz Albums.

Issue date : September 19, 2009.

So, as you can see, everything is possible, when it's the music that matters!

"

Henny with a splash of sprite......

Ramblin' Fox | Philadelphia | 03/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As one reviewer said, "..it's the music that matters." This joint right here is like a fine cognac, it gets better with each listen.... I first heard about this duo on Michael Baisden's B-sides, and I haven't stopped listening... Some have characterize Impromp2 style as Smooth Jazz, personally I think that's an insult to the group, seeing that smooth jazz is so watered down from what it was in the early 80s. This is so much funkier, soulful, and warm than smooth jazz. If I must characterize their style of play, I would call it Neo-Jazzy R&B. This is truly a CD I listen to from beginning to end, while driving, chillin with my baby, chillin by myself, or working on the computer, I never feel the need to hit skip. I have personally recommended this CD to others that have raved about it after listening to it while in my company. None of my recommendees have been disappointed actually they think I'm some sort of musical genius, when in actuality I'm just a junkie for good music. There's a segment of artists claiming that 99-cent single download sales are killing CD sales. Impromp2's "It Is What It Is" shows when a project is done right, there's demand for the entire project and it won't be cherry picked for a few good morsels."

Impromp2

WPSB | Los Angeles | 01/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been an Impromp2 fan for many years, but "It Is What It Is" is their best album ever!!! Every track is fantastic...Go head boys with your bad selves! Smooth, jazzy, groovey, you name the vibe and this CD has it. A+++++++!!!!!!!!!"