The best smooth jazz cds

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Smooth jazz offers a colorful breadth of textures, sounds and moods. As a commercial art form, it blends contemporary musical styles (R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul) and fuses them with jazz instrumental interpretations. Smooth jazz is an outgrowth of jazz fusion, which was made popular by such musicians as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and the group Weather Report. Though the popularity of digital downloads are increasing, you can still find some of the genre's best representations on CD.

1. Tutu

   • Released in 1986, Miles Davis's "Tutu" (named for Nobel Prize winner Bishop Desmond Tutu) presents a combination of R&B, funk and jazz. "Tutu" features jazz bassist Marcus Miller and the songs "Full Nelson," "Portia" and six others. A follow-up to the Grammy-winning "The Man with the Horn," the title track on "Tutu" garnered Davis a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist.

   Breezin'

   • George Benson's 1976 release signaled a new approach for the guitarist. With "This Masquerade," Benson re-launched a career that emphasized jazzy, soulful vocals with supportive guitar riffs. This hybrid of jazz inspired melodies with an undercurrent of popular music helped to point a direction that many of today's smooth jazz artists still follow. "Breezin'" topped the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

   Duotones

   • Kenny G's fourth studio recording (released in 1986) set him on the path to super stardom. The highly successful track "Songbird" peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Kenny G's total album sales have topped 30 million and "Duotones," with its blending of R&B, funk, vocals and ballads, announced the arrival of the instrumentalist. "Songbird," "Sade" and "Midnight Motion" are still heard today on smooth jazz stations. Seven years later, Kenny G won his first (and only) Grammy for the song "Forever in Love," released on the album "Breathless."

   All Fly Home

   • This album earned Al Jarreau his second Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocalist. "All Fly Home" was released in 1978 to critical acclaim and furthered his exploration of rich jazz harmonies supported by a jubilant display of vocal mastery. Notable tracks include "Brite 'N' Sunny," "I do," "Fly" and a unique cover of "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay." Jarreau would go on to win many more awards and record such standouts as the theme to "Moonlighting" and the Quincy Jones produced "We're In This Love Together."

   One Quiet Night

   • Pat Metheny, known for both his contemporary jazz recordings and occasional forays into more traditional jazz territory, often shifts musical styles and ideas. The Grammy winning "One Quiet Night" is in some ways a departure for Metheny- usually backed by A-list musicians, Metheny goes it alone. Unlike previous recordings, Metheny's electric guitar is replaced by a baritone guitar, resulting in a deeper, introspective sound. "One Quiet Night" won the Grammy for Best New Age Album in 2004. According to BBC Music, "...this is the kind of record that can send you to bed feeling that all's right with the world."

   Feels So Good

   • Chuck Mangione was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Song category for this the title track of this album (he lost to Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are"). "Feels So Good," the single, was recently (as of April 2011) voted the #1 song played on smooth jazz stations across the nation. The album contains the lesser known but notable tracks "Hide & Seek (Ready Or Not Here I Come)," "Maui-Waui" and the grooving "The XIth Commandment," featuring bassist Charles Meeks.

Source: www.ehow.com

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