Coolest contemporary smooth jazz Mike Levine – JUST CHILLIN’: There’s a reason why I don’t have a lot of new jazz in the smooth vein coming in for review, I suppose, but I don’t know what it is… this is my first listen to Mike’s great piano work, but I can tell you right now that it’s the coolest contemporary smooth jazz I’ve heard (yet) in 2021… you can witness it in Mike’s great trailer video for the album…
Since you’re there already, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Mike’s DBA Downtimes Productions YouTube channel to watch other high-energy performances… I did it right away.
Down & funky tunes like “Soul Gumbo” had me (immediately) up & dancin’ ’round my studio room, out into the hallways & all over the house, lol… being somewhat of a keyboard player myself, I found it just too easy to fall in love with the organ on this track… the 3:28 length will make it a perfect match for DJ’s – I predict this song will be getting some MASSIVE airplay in the coming months & years!
The album features lots of South Florida players – Andy Snitzer, Steve Oliver, Will Lee, Nestor Torres, Ed Calle, Lindsey Blair and Randy Bernsen – and you’ll hear them in their full glory on tunes like Mike’s original, the 4:10 “Gliding“… it’s really easy to imagine yourself on a hang glider, soaring with the birds, on this great tune.
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to contemporary music, and Mike’s stunning arrangement of the classic “Eleanor Rigby” proves him to be one of the most unique players I’ve listened to in a long time… a sweet & soulful performance!
It was no chore (at all) to make my choice for personal favorite of the thirteen ultra-cool songs offered up for our musical adventure with Mike… the title track, “Just Chillin“, puts you in a groove that just won’t quit, folks… this is the tune that made me pick Mike’s album for permanent placement on my iPhone player (something that only happens with the BEST jazz).
I give Mike and his players a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99. Get more information at Mike’s online store page. Rotcod Zzaj
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