Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 10/19/1999
Run Time: 48:27
The title of
Kim Waters' 1998
Shanachie debut,
Love's Melody, is a perfect reflection of the saxman's very simple and direct philosophy about composing and playing: "There's got to be a perfect mixture of romance, groove, and a strong melody that you can hum along to after the first listen." A longtime staple on R&B/quiet storm stations over the course of eight recordings beginning with his 1988
Warlock Records debut,
Sweet and Saxy,
Waters -- working with labelmate/guitarist
Chuck Loeb and composer/producer
David Mann -- shifted gears on
Love's Melody toward a picture-perfect smooth jazz sound that built on his roots. The similarly spirited and passionate
One Special Moment builds on that success with numerous picture-perfect tunes primed to inherit that throne. While
Loeb only appears on the two songs he co-wrote with
Waters and produced -- the lilting and seductive
"Secrets Told" and the funk-drenched retro-soul-blues gem
"Up All Night" -- the guitarist's influence is felt throughout the disc.
Waters worked with
Mann on the cool shuffling hip-hop-influenced opening track,
"Hudson River Nights" (which features
Waters beautifully modulating his soprano verse by verse, as well as a cool flügelhorn harmony line by
Jim Hynes), as well as the irresistibly melodic and dreamy title track.
Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist who is also one of the genre's great veteran artists, wrote and produced
"Come to Me," highlighted by the unique blend of a throbbing bass and sax-driven melody swirled with
Gregg Karukas' synthesized orchestra grandeur.
~Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
;)
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