Bruce Von Stiers
Tom Scott has a new album out. This jazz veteran is one of the best known saxophonists in the world. This new release features some of Tom’s best work to date. Not only that, there are some other legendary artists who help out on the album. The title of the album is New Found Freedom. It is being released on the Higher Octave Jazz label.
There are ten songs on the album with music totaling over fifty minutes.
The people who are featured as guest artists on the album include George Duke, Billy Preston and Marcus Miller. Paul Jackson Jr. and Jonathan Butler, along with Nathan East, chime in their talents as well. The album was co-produced by Dave Rideau and Gerald McCauley. Between these two guys, they have worked with the likes of Janet Jackson, Larry Carlton, Bobby Lyle and George Benson. One special guest on the album is Daniel Rodriquez, the NYPD officer who is now making a second career as a singer.
Feeling It is the first track on the album. It features Craig Chaquico. It moves along pretty good between the guitar and saxophone work.
The second song is You Are My Everything. It features the wonderful vocals of Ann Nesby. Some of you might remember her from her recent duet with Al Green, Put It On Paper. The saxophone complements the vocals well. Billy Preston does some wonderful organ harmonies on the song.
The third song is (Don’t You Wanna) Jam. It is a groovin’ and movin’ song. There are parts of it that reminded me of Candy Dulfer’s music. This song has Craig T. Cooper on rhythm and wah-wah guitars.
Can You Stand the Rain is the next song. It has Val Watson and George Duke. The vocals are great on the song. Then the album moves on to Just A Little. This gets the album moving again, with the bass of Marcus Miller intertwining with Tom’s tenor sax to provide a smooth mix. There are also some help from Gerald McCauley on the song.
This must be the year for covering of older pop songs. The Simply Red song Holding Back the Years is the sixth song on the album. It is nicely done with vocals for the chorus. Val Watson does the vocals on the next song, I Wanna Be With You. Marcus Miller lays down a great bass solo on the song.
Never Too Far From You and The View From Here are both great songs. The second song is one that makes you think of frolicking in the park.
Everything Must Change has the vocal talents of Daniel Rodriquez. This song proves why Rodriquez is one of the most sought after vocalists. He has a voice that the ladies will swoon over. The song is smooth and has some wonderful sax.
New Found Freedom should appeal to all smooth jazz fans. There are a couple of movin’ and groovin’ songs and several smooth close dancing types of tracks.
New Found Freedom had a release date of October 22nd, so it should be available at your local music retailer.