Search - Mindi Abair :: Life Less Ordinary

Less Ordinary, Not Extraordinary

J. H. Minde | Boca Raton, Florida and Brooklyn, New York | 08/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's tough not to like Mindi Abair (hey, if she married me she'd be Mindi Minde, so what's not to like?). Ms. Abair is one of the better known studio and tour musicians around, and has played with some of the biggest acts of the last decade. She's definitely got talent, and she's a certified hot chick with a breathy little girl voice, to boot. LIFE LESS ORDINARY is her latest smooth jazz album. It's upbeat, it's listenable, and it's the best sax I've had in quite awhile, things being what they are nowadays.



The drawback to LIFE LESS ORDINARY (or really the whole Kenny G. smooth jazz style) is that it lacks longevity. It's great background music at a dinner party but it has little real substance. At first listen, LIFE LESS ORDINARY sounds like the greatest album in recording history; by its fifteenth playing it's a disc you'll be surprised to find in your collection, a la, "Ohhh, yeah...I remember this one."



Mindi Abair is a truly credible talent who does nothing very incredible or innovative on this album. By and large, smooth jazz, with its derivative rock phrasings is a form of bridge music for listeners in transition, those moving from Slash to Miles Davis. LIFE LESS ORDINARY is a THREE AND A HALF STAR effort worth your time and attention, particularly if you're just discovering jazz. As such, you could do much worse than acquaint yourself with Mindi Abair."

Might be her best album yet

Jazz Reviewer | USA | 06/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"GRP Records has released Mindi Abair's latest CD entitled Life Less Ordinary, an album that is light years ahead of her second recording Come As You Are. This time out, Mindi revisits the energy and spontaneity of her 2003 release It Just Happens That Way. With assistance from a stellar cast of seasoned musicians, Mindi's alto saxophone blows new life into a sometimes stagnant array of smooth jazz offerings. Listeners who are constantly searching for something fresh may find renewed zeal in Mindi Abair's latest release. Tracks such as "Do You Miss Me," "The Joint" and "Slinky" are true reminders of Abair's funk-laden capabilities. On top of everything else this CD has to offer, versatility is but one of its many attributes. Life Less Ordinary is filled with upbeat rhythms, seductive moods and a variety of cover songs to push the envelope of Mindi's creative flow. This entire conceptualized recording is filled with bits of classic inspired rhythms, as well as a montage of strategically placed horn dynamics.



Although Life Less Ordinary does offer a cornucopia of energetic funk oriented capabilities, the CD also includes a somber side too. The track entitled "Rain" is a reminder of the impact Katrina had on the residents of Louisiana. Another cut entitled "Ordinary Love" is a Latin-inspired tune that speaks of Mindi's outlook on love. In essence, she has attempted to capture the simplicity of what love is truly about in its purest form. In either case, Mindi Abair shows that she is very adept at exhibiting her sensitive side with music that not only reflects on the complexities of life, but proves that she is a very well-rounded musician in approach to her craft.



Life Less Ordinary may well be Mindi Abair's best CD to date. Although she came out smoking on her debut release, her second CD was a bust in my opinion. This latest release lets me know that all is well with Mindi and she has recaptured the energy that brought her to our attention in the first place. With the likes Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Peterson, Keb' Mo and long-time collaborator Matthew Hager by her side, Mindi has provided a renewed appreciation for her abilities as an artist. She has also shown a multi-faceted side of herself as a musician, vocalist and writer with this third release. As one of only a few female saxophonists in smooth jazz, Mindi Abair is definitely making her own statement and her presence known. Life Less Ordinary sends a message worth listening to, as it places Mindi in a stand-alone category when compared to her contemporaries.

-Jazzreview.com"

Sexy Sax and Original Lyrics

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 08/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Smooth sexy jazz is what Mindi Abair presents on this sultry album with romantic appeal. In "It Must Be Love," her sweet voice embodies a certain purity, possibly retained from a more introspective outlook on life. "The Joint" changes venues pretty quickly as the music gets downright soulful and sensual.



"Rain" is an especially beautiful instrumental track with bittersweet moments and hope intertwined in a creative exploration of the feelings of loss and new discoveries. I love the heart in her playing and this is an exquisite selection with depths of emotions that make you contemplate the meaning.



"Slinky" is another original song with unique vibes and heavy beats. This entire album is really a journey into creativity. Ordinary Love feels like a tropical escape and Mindi Abair's voice mirrors her poetess heart. Bloom has pop appeal all while retaining jazzy roots. This is where the album really takes off into a fusion of powerful sax and soothing cascades of soul comforting sounds. Far Away is a beautiful mingling of piano and sax with breathy vocal whispers that cools down this sexy album.



If you like your Jazz a little on the smooth and sexy side,

this holds a warm appeal.



~The Rebecca Review

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