Jonathan Fritzen/Diamonds

[AC Tones]

OK, just received the full this past week.  It is as good as advertised!  I know my man Bill Harmonic has often referred to Fritzen in our various chats as a young Brian Culbertson, and I think that comparison is spot on.  Fritzen is destined for similar greatness, IMO.  Jonathan hit another home run with this one.  Another CD full of vibrant, original compositions.  If you don't know Jonathan Frtizen, he will soon become a household name.  I recall when I first heard "Love Birds," I said, "Wow, who is this?"  When artists' music causes me to pause and ask that question, I usually do not get disappointed when I find out more and delve deeper into their music.  Hard for me to pick a definitive favorite on first listen, but "This Way, That Way" with another great young talent, Darren Rahn, and "Vibrations" stand out to my ears.  "Vibrations" and "Melting" are shades of early Culbertson---close your eyes and listen and tell me if you agree.  Yet, Jonathan is developing his own trademark sound/vibe.  All in all, another terrific release from one of the soon-to-be greats of this genre!  Being a programmer is effortless when the music is this good.

[Interstate 78]

I just acquired the entire album this week, as well. And everything you say is spot on. I'm puzzled by some of the folks on here who aren't in love with his music, although I'm not sure if I'd compare him to Brian Culbertson. To me, Culbertson is a little edgier (hard rock jazz, if there is such a thing ... LOL) while Fritzen is totally elegant and flowing in his delivery. The best comparison I can think of is a slightly updated, slightly more R & B sounding version of Jonathan Cain's "Elegance on the Catwalk," an old smooth jazz classic from somewhere around 1990. But yeah, you are 100 percent correct. This album is amazing. BTW, when do you start streaming on AudioNow?

[AC Tones]

I just acquired the entire album this week, as well. And everything you say is spot on. I'm puzzled by some of the folks on here who aren't in love with his music, although I'm not sure if I'd compare him to Brian Culbertson. To me, Culbertson is a little edgier (hard rock jazz, if there is such a thing ... LOL) while Fritzen is totally elegant and flowing in his delivery. The best comparison I can think of is a slightly updated, slightly more R & B sounding version of Jonathan Cain's "Elegance on the Catwalk," an old smooth jazz classic from somewhere around 1990. But yeah, you are 100 percent correct. This album is amazing. BTW, when do you start streaming on AudioNow?

I-78, I agree...that's why I mentioned "early Culberston."  Reminds me of Culbertson's work before he got a little funky for my taste (mid-90s stuff---"Secrets" comes to mind).  Just heard from the Audionow folks over the weekend and the line should be up and running sometime by mid-week, I have been told.  I'll let you know when it is active and will post it here!

[passtheword]

This is a great CD. I just sampled the tracks on amazon and I really like it...I'm going to download this one.

It does sound very much like Brian Culbertson. In fact, if I had heard the CD and you hadn't mentioned who it was, I would have sworn it was him. 

[AnotherCat]

See, and to me this sounds like a mash-up of every smooth jazz cliche and everything that makes this music sound "old" - light touch on the keyboard, lots of grace notes, shadow vocals and go to iTunes and click on "Vibrations." How many hundreds songs have that same keyboard line (ba-da-ba-da-da-da-da-da)

and it's very formula. Of course I loved the first two Culbertson albums and i love him live but then he went litesy-noodly and the only thing I've liked since is the Come On Up CD. This does sound like an even Lite-er version of Culbertson. People start getting all excited because an artist is "young" and that's supposed to mean they are going to spice up the genre but this is late 20th century radio smooth....nothin' wrong with that if you like it. The production values and musicianship are up to par with the traditional charting keyboard artists and it isn't necessary for everyone to bring in a big dose of originality but this is getting hyped as being something it is not.  It's funny but while there is all this talk about young artists it's mostly the more seasoned ones who are getting out of the smooth box and expanding the horizons. Maybe because they were around back when those horizons existed?

Cain's music flowed a lot more, his songs had forward momentum, and he played with more power, especially on his first one.

Different strokes

[producer57]

Not that anybody cares but I bought this CD(download on Itunes) after I read everybodies comments and found it very formula and not very original. This format needs fresh talent but I don't find this new and exciting. I can't tell if he's really talented. His playing has no oroginality to it. It may work for stations looking for the formula but as far as a new and exciting voice I just don't hear it

[AC Tones]

I see terms like "formula" and "no originality" often thrown out here when folks think a particular offering is too mellow sounding for their tastes.  I guess my question is, what's wrong with mid-tempo, melodic music?  In my mind, that's radio-friendly and what base listeners were originally attracted to.  It makes for good listening, at least for me it does.  What exactly are you guys looking for?  Sometimes the musical tastes on this board are so broad and unpredictable, I'm not sure what to think.  It makes a programmer want to pull his hair out and say, "How in the heck can I put together a playlist to keep these guys tuned in without it sounding like a disjointed Jack FM-version of Smooth Jazz, funk, and R&B?

FWIW, here is MY definition of formula, and it obviously differs from yours.  "Formula" for me is the sleepy brass (sax and trumpet) CDs of late, by some big names at that, that are riddled with cover tunes.  If you want to look at music that brought the genre down, Jonathan Fritzen's style is not a good example, IMO.  It's crossover vocals, cover tunes, and sleepy brass CDs with no vibe.  Darren Rahn's music (a young artist by relative terms), is FAR from sleepy or "formula" in my mind.  If originality is the issue here, what's more original than music that is written, composed, and performed by the artist?  It sure beats these tribute CDs to late R&B and Pop artists, and live CDs compiled of overplayed tunes from artists who composed the music 20 years ago.

[Nock]

I still can't get past the cover

Nock

[Nock]

Not an expert on formula, my formula is what exists in my ears.  But with that said, I gave the new Kenny G a spin for s_ _ t's and giggles.  Yup loaded with formula in my opinion, and it don't fit my ears.  Get this, he even thanks Alan Kepler in the liner notes for keeping smooth jazz alive.  (Probably the most important part of the formula?) He must have written the liner notes 10 years ago.

Nock

[AC Tones]

I still can't get past the cover

Nock

So the guy looks like a metrosexual version of Joaquin Phoenix!!!  Get over it!!   Very well said, though.  What sounds good to my ears may well sound like "formula" or garbage to others, and vice-versa.  And I have to live with that and not take it personally.  But it is very frustrating sometimes as a programmer trying to push the right buttons and accurately predict what listeners would enjoy hearing based on my overall programming strategy.  My station is a reflection of my musical taste, and I make no bones about that.  While I am always open to suggestions and criticism, the reality is that my station has a definite "feel" to it and it resonates with my core listeners, although I will stop well short of calling it "EZ."  But I do prefer melodic tunes with structure and a pleasing vibe/beat/groove, and I think Fritzen's latest (and all of his music to date) fits the bill for me.  It is very hard for me to back something from Fritzen up with an edgy, bluesy cut from Jeff Golub or a hardcore funk/R&B-influenced tune from someone else.  It would be hard for me even to find an adequate transitional cut without it still sounding out of place.  I love Thom Rotella's offerings from the NAC days and spin a ton of it, but I did not spin one tune from his latest CD.  Way too bluesy for my taste.  It just won't work on my station---too harsh a transition for my listeners.  That's another reason why I rarely spin live cuts from CDs unless they blow me away...if my listeners want live music, they'll go see a show.  Typically, there is way too much improvisation, and lengthy drum or popping bass solos that are not radio-friendly in my mind.

I am glad this thread has sparked a spirited and passionate debate, and it brings to light the challenges programmers face in putting together a large playlist that "works" for most listeners who call themselves fans of Smooth Jazz music.

As for Kenny G's latest, let's put it this way.  "G Walkin'" has the best chance of hanging around in my rotation for a spell, and that is not saying much.