Steve Oliver ( Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Instrumental )

Steve Oliver – Positive + Energy (2002)

Artist: Steve Oliver
Title Of Album: Positive + Energy
Year Of Release: 2002
Label: Native Language Music
Genre: Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Instrumental
Quality: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps
Total Time: 50:14 min
Total Size: 127 mb (+rec)

TRACKLIST
1. High Noon
2. Positive Energy
3. Right Direction
4. Ocean Blue
5. Festevo
6. Show You Love
7. Day's End
8. Horizon
9. Mr. Hipster
10. Come On Home
11. Horizon (reprise)
12. Show You Love (instrumental version bonus track)

Personnel: Steve Oliver (vocals, guitar, keyboards, guitar synthesizer, drums, background vocals); Jeff Kashiwa (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brandon Fields (saxophone); Will Donato (soprano saxophone); Tony Guerrero, John Fumo (trumpet); Tom Schuman (piano); Dave Kochanski (keyboards, programming, drum programming); Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass); Christian Poezach, Will Kennedy (drums); Steve Reid (percussion); Larry Antonino (background vocals).

Contemporary jazz guitarist and vocalist Steve Oliver offers something everyone will enjoy on his sophomore release as a leader, titled Positive Energy. The recording reflects Oliver's smooth, upbeat, joyous spirit through dynamic vocals and instrumentals on 12 brand-new originals. Working with Steve Oliver are such prominent contemporary jazz favorites as his labelmate, Jeff Kashiwa, on saxophone and Spyro Gyra keyboardist Tom Schuman alongside the multi-talented bassists Brian Bromberg and Larry Antonino. The recording opens with the radio-friendly "High Noon," the first single to be released from the CD. The song combines the freshest licks from Latin funk and the smoothest grooves from smooth jazz in an energetic presentation with a contemporary flair. Oliver's vocals set the song apart from the instrumentals on the set and give his listeners more than enough room to enjoy the "positive energy" emanating from his playing style. On the title track, Steve Reid adds his mighty percussion to the mix and not only provides an extra layer of rhythmic fuel, but inspires Oliver's excellent guitar playing to another level of performance. Oliver's ability to tell a story is quite evident on the vocal version of "Show You Love." This song has the potential to cross over to the R&B genre due to its funky backbeat and danceability and is reprised as an instrumental, with Brandon Fields' smooth tenor sax as the lead voice, to close the set. Positive Energy has no problem meeting the standards set by Oliver's 1999 debut, First View, and should garner additional smooth jazz and groove fans for Oliver. In the making for nearly three years, the new musical dimensions added by the guest stars, the romantic and sometimes-funky celebratory vibe, and Oliver's excellent musicality make Positive Energy another great opportunity to hear what Steve Oliver is all about. ~ Paula EdelsteinJazzTimes (9/02, p.108) - "...A charming and easily likable one. With his dexterous playing, knack for creating catchy melodies and unusual, highly flexible vocal accents Oliver had crafted an engaging collection of compositions..."

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