Artist : Jackiem Joyner
Album : BabySoul
Label : ARTizen Music Group
Genre : Jazz
Bitrate : 207 kbps avg
Source : CD (LP)
Playtime : 00:48:49 (76 MB)
Rls date : 2007-04-18
Store date : 2007-05-07
[Track List]
1. This Time Around 4:05
2. Stay With Me Tonight 3:56
3. Babysoul 4:17
4. Just Groove 4:49
5. In Love Again 4:55
6. Say Yes 5:12
7. Share My Tears 4:13
8. Lola 4:13
9. Unforgiven 4:21
10.Elevation 4:45
11.Innocence 4:03
PS:
This release is different from Jackiem_Joyner-Babysoul-Retail-2006-SC.
The label is different, also most of the tracks are remastered,
or different or re-mixed/re-orchestred. And now, some comments :)
Jackiem Joyner is now just 27 years old yet itÆs a sign of
his amazing maturity that he has been catching the eye
with his live performances since 2001. He has opened for
India Arie, Boney James, Spyro Gyra and George Benson but
was first noticed by Marcus Johnson who hired him as his
touring sax-man. Since then this native of Norfolk
Virginia has gone on to work extensively with Bobby Lyle,
Jean Carne, Angela Bofill and the great Ronnie Laws. Those
who saw him perform at the recent 2007 Smooth Jazz Cruise
will have marveled equally at his distinctive soulfully
urban sound and the way in which he connected with his
audience in both the large and small venue settings that
this event threw his way. Relocated to LA, and after
taking a year out to create his own new music, he is now
fashioning an exciting solo career with his debut release
for ARTizen Music Group, æBaby SoulÆ.
Produced by Joyner, who also writes ten of the eleven
choice cuts, the CD is further improved by ARTizenÆs own
Rick Braun who executive produces, mixes and variously
plays trumpet and flugelhorn on three of the tracks.
Together they achieve commendable balance and, with an
array of moods and emotions that range from funky dance
elements to a more romantic vibe, Joyner always remains
soulfully smooth and in control. That said the most
up-tempo track on the album is the tight groove driven
title cut. It has a compelling thread running right
through it and the luscious full sounding æJust GrooveÆ
starts out that way too. Helped in no small part by
excellent trumpet from Rick Braun, Joyner flatters to
deceive by at first toning it down with his cool melodic
playing before really blossoming into a funky finale.
Rick Braun is also there for æThis Time AroundÆ. It has
all the rhythm and melody necessary to place it up there
with the best examples of good contemporary jazz and these
staple elements are also well to the fore with the albumÆs
first radio single, æStay With Me TonightÆ. The instantly
recognizable Peter White, who has an exemplary record of
contributing to the success of many up-coming artists,
gets this one moving and his interplay with Joyner is
terrific throughout. æIn Love AgainÆ is underpinned by a
smoky vibe that provides a tasty platform for JoynerÆs
mellow playing while with æShare My TearsÆ he turns it
down one more notch for a lusciously romantic groove that
he gets just right.
The horn driven æLolaÆ is dappled with Latin influence and
skips pleasantly between JoynerÆs heartfelt playing and
the big brassy chorus. With a freshness that is
invigorating this is a track that shows off his
versatility and he switches moods yet again for the warmly
gentle yet still soulful æInnocenceÆ. Joyner stays
predictably tight as he ratchets up the tempo for the
compelling æElevationÆ then deftly changes gears for the
albumÆs one cover, his sultry rendition of æSay YesÆ. This
erotic slow jam was written by Marsha Ambrosius and
Natalie Stewart (aka Floetry) and appeared on their 2002
CD æFloeticÆ. ItÆs a candidate for best track on the album
and another personal favorite is the mellow æUnforgivenÆ.
Right in the pocket from the get-go this slice of retro
tinged late night jazz features wonderful flugelhorn from
Braun and excellent electric guitar courtesy of Iouri
Ionidi.
Due out in May 2007 æBaby SoulÆ is an extremely
accomplished collection and signals an association between
Joyner and ARTizen that could well be a partnership made
in heaven. With the nurturing qualities of the label
gelling with the obvious talent and sizzling potential of
the artist the name of Jackiem Joyner is bound to be
around for a long time to come.