New York saxophonist Najee has an extensive background as a musician, winning the Soul Train Music Awards in 1993 and 1995 and playing with such jazz greats as Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham. He also went on to play and tour with Prince in 2001, contributing his talents to The Rainbow Children. Najee's newest release, Mind Over Matter, shows the jazz artist in his prime, mixing soulful smooth jazz with new age R&B that gives the artist a fresh and current sound.
On the artist's Web site, Najee claims that the album title is a reference to Miles Davis' approach to songwriting, noting improvisational techniques implored by the jazz legend. "He would start with nothing more than a groove that Marcus Miller or some other member of his band would lay down. And from there he would just develop these melodies that were very simple but at the same time very compelling and very memorable." Najee follows Davis' improvisational approach on his new album, soloing and playing off the rhythms of the bass and drums and accompanied keys.
On songs such as "Sweet Summer Nights" and the title track "Mind Over Matter," Najee shows his ability to blend pop with jazz, playing pop hooks and catchy melodies that accomplish as much as any vocalist would. On "Mind Over Matter" Najee's solos are accompanied by slap bass and minimal, laid-back drums that help provide more room for melody.
Najee is joined by vocalists Gary Taylor and Eric Ben?t on "We Gone Ride" and "Moon Over Carolina," two tracks that exemplify how comfortable the saxophonist is with vocalists. Najee holds back when he needs to and adds flourished solos that blend smoothly with the accompanied keys. In "Moon Over Carolina," Najee plays minimally, letting the vocals and keys lead the song while he adds emphasis to verse and chorus transitions.
With Mind Over Matter, Najee shows how fluent he is with his jazz language and how willing he is to keep his music fresh and up to date. Najee puts himself at the top with his newest album and shows how unlimited he is with his talent and creativity.
Joseph Bland
Mind Over Matter
New York saxophonist Najee has an extensive background as a musician, winning the Soul Train Music Awards in 1993 and 1995 and playing with such jazz greats as Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham. He also went on to play and tour with Prince in 2001, contributing his talents to The Rainbow Children. Najee's newest release, Mind Over Matter, shows the jazz artist in his prime, mixing soulful smooth jazz with new age R&B that gives the artist a fresh and current sound.
On the artist's Web site, Najee claims that the album title is a reference to Miles Davis' approach to songwriting, noting improvisational techniques implored by the jazz legend. "He would start with nothing more than a groove that Marcus Miller or some other member of his band would lay down. And from there he would just develop these melodies that were very simple but at the same time very compelling and very memorable." Najee follows Davis' improvisational approach on his new album, soloing and playing off the rhythms of the bass and drums and accompanied keys.
On songs such as "Sweet Summer Nights" and the title track "Mind Over Matter," Najee shows his ability to blend pop with jazz, playing pop hooks and catchy melodies that accomplish as much as any vocalist would. On "Mind Over Matter" Najee's solos are accompanied by slap bass and minimal, laid-back drums that help provide more room for melody.
Najee is joined by vocalists Gary Taylor and Eric Ben?t on "We Gone Ride" and "Moon Over Carolina," two tracks that exemplify how comfortable the saxophonist is with vocalists. Najee holds back when he needs to and adds flourished solos that blend smoothly with the accompanied keys. In "Moon Over Carolina," Najee plays minimally, letting the vocals and keys lead the song while he adds emphasis to verse and chorus transitions.
With Mind Over Matter, Najee shows how fluent he is with his jazz language and how willing he is to keep his music fresh and up to date. Najee puts himself at the top with his newest album and shows how unlimited he is with his talent and creativity.
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