Expect some seriously deep grooves tonight...
modern jazz | 07/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A celebrated soloist, bandleader, composer and arranger, Warren Hill's exuberant and striking style is complimented on this album by an amazing cast of all-stars, including first call bassist Nathan East, renown guitarists Paul Jackson Jr. and Dean Parks, drummer Ricky Lawson, keyboardist Greg Phillingaines and the label mates Jeff Golub and Philippe Saisse.
There's a vitality to the performances and the songs themselves bristle with contemporary, polished sound.
It blends the sultry and soulful sax playing with the rhythmic and funky in such a unique way that this collection seems destined to again push the bar of Contemporary Jazz more than a bit higher.
His style is a complete mixture of many elements of music, such as Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, Blues, Gospel, Reggae, and many other styles. All of those musical influences combined have made him the musician he is today.
The master saxman plays a selection of fine smooth grooves like "Warm Rain", "Daydreamer" and "Gimme Some".
"Skinny Dippin" is a funkier piece as is the slower, sexier "The Jive Samba" .
Every song highlights the true talent that Warren Hill is blessed with. This jam packed album also comes with a Latin style groove "Hill Be Jammin" and shows great versatility.
"La Dolce Vita" really solidifies the fact Warren Hill is here to stay.
I really get the feel he will achieve his goal of reaching lots of young people who are musically challenged and looking for a little direction.
It's rare you come across a disc that jams on every track, but I have to give it up, this jams from start to finish.
Hill's sax is to the fore but this album is a strong Smooth Jazz set with a couple of cathcy radio friendly cuts with great hooks.
Have a pleasant listening and enjoy "the sweet life" with Warren Hill !"
This cd is definitely living the sweet life!!!
musicman | 07/20/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mr. Warren Hill is a true artist. This cd is so uplifting and inspiring.
His vocals are so amazing on "Sunshine" and "Survive"! "Sunshine" is so catchy, it's destined to be a huge hit song. Warren needs to do an entire cd of vocals. How can one guy be one of the best saxophone players in the world and sing as well as he does? Well he does it, and I truly think he is someone to watch. I remember his song "Shelter from the Storm" that he wrote and produced with his wife Tamara. They wrote it about their love and how the painting "Shelter from the Storm" inspired them. He proposed to her underneath it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY.
I've never forgotten that, because I was so inspired by it and always thought that it was such a romantic story. He sang on that song and had a hit with it. I was sure he would do a follow up cd of more vocals. So, I am so happy to hear this cd. It's full of great songs to make you feel good. La Dolce Vita is the perfect title, because it really is exuding the sweet life. Thank you Warren."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1