Garlanded smooth sax maestro, BONEY JAMES has just released this new album – his 19th as leader. His coterie of dedicated fans will be delighted with the ten tracker as too will anyone who appreciates classy, melodic smooth jazz with a soulful undertow.
And “classy, melodic smooth jazz with a soulful undertow” was just what the LP’s lead single delivered . It was a prime time Marvin Gaye-flecked ‘All I Want Is You’. It was a delightful cocktail of Boney’s mellifluous sax and the soulful vocals of October London. Little wonder that the track has already enjoyed over 7 million streams since its July release, yes, it’s a good ‘un – but not the only gem on ‘Slow Burn’. Nor is October London, the only “name” guest.
Legendary bass player Marcus Miller is also featured. He’s there on the moody ‘Arcadia’ and a cover of Herbie Hancock’s ‘Butterfly’. This new reading is ethereal with an Ibizan chill out feel – very Café Del Mar, especially the Bob James-esque keyboard passages courtesy of guest Cory Henry. One of the other key guests is horn man Rick Braun whose distinctive mute tones enhance the sensual ‘Sugar’. The LP delivers more slow movements in the shape of ‘A Little Romance’, ‘Between the Lines’ and the album title track.
For variety, there’s also plenty to set feet tapping and heads nodding. Try ‘Gonna Have A Good Time’. This is classic, sax, led, soul-based smooth jazz coming complete with vocal exhortations. ‘Bounce’ is another groove-laden cut (the clue’s in the title), though the album’s big bopper is the tight, crisp beater, ‘Slide’. Echoing the late, great David Sanborn, if Boney and his team had only added a vocal, this one would become a contemporary soul smash. It’s no slow burner; it hits the ground running.
(BB) 4/5
