Showing posts with label Greg Manning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greg Manning. Show all posts

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Greg Manning - The Calling

Styles: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:09
Size: 133,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:00)  1. Groovin'
(4:16)  2. Nick of Time
(4:39)  3. The Calling
(4:34)  4. Yeke Yeke Yo
(3:31)  5. After the Rain
(4:01)  6. It's Me
(3:53)  7. Shine a Light
(4:22)  8. Mountain View
(4:10)  9. Wayman
(5:13) 10. Tribal Sphere
(2:32) 11. Coming & Going
(3:43) 12. The Prayer
(4:16) 13. Sunday Morning
(4:53) 14. Home

The convergence of jazz, funk, and soul combined with musical inspiration from artists such as, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock; and features the talents of acclaimed artist Keb'Mo', and smooth jazz artists Kirk Whalum and Mindi Abair. He is the internationality in person. Born in Nigeria Greg Manning grew up in Switzerland. In 2002 he moved to Los Angeles but still keep contact to the land of his youth. So he is a three-time certified platinum producer for Universal Music Switzerland, and has had several Swiss Chart toppers since 1996. Greg worked as musical director with Jonathan Butler and also performed with Brian McKnight, Kirk Whalum, Will Downing, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright, Chante Moore, Mindi Abair and Keb' Mo' just to mention a few. His debut album Soulciety was released in 1999 and is unfortunately unavailable anymore. By chance I became aware of his new album The Calling, which was released in April 2010. Greg's new album features Mindi Abair, André Berry, Patrick Bettison, Tom Evans, Keb' Mo', Jimmy Reid, Kirk Whalum and Terry Wollman among others. Greg wrote, arranged, mixed and produced all songs except Nick Of Time. The Calling starts with the fulminate Groovin' featuring attractive Mindi Abair in her prominent role as raising sax star. Mindi recently entered the charts with her new album In Hi-Fi Stereo (2010). Also on the party Columbia University graduated jazz vocalist Dawn Norfleet, who we'll certainly see again. Bonnie Raitt wrote Nick Of Time in 1989 for her same-titled album, her personal break-through. With great taste for fine music art Greg chooses this song for featured saxophonist Jimmy Reid. Greg's arrangement has thanks to Jimmy's emotional interpretation and the choir background a real Gospel flavor. The Calling presents Patrick Bettison on chromatic harmonica. If it is the harmonica, the bass or African percussion Patrick always impresses with his personal musical intensity. Yeke Yeke Yo is Greg's orchestral approach with influences of African percussion. Colorful and picturesque. 

On After The Rain guitarist Keb’ Mo', a living blues legend, showcases his bluesy finger style. Greg always tailors a perfect song for each presented musician. On It's Me Greg Manning displays his pleasant-sounding personality. Jimmy Reid, Tom Evans and Greg blend into a fine arrangement. The dynamic Shine A Light reveals another aspect of the musician Greg Manning. He is a supreme vocalist beside his excellent skills as keyboardist and programmer. With the cordial Mountain View Greg walks on the path of Dan Siegel, Jim Brickman and Richard Clayderman. Wayman is Greg's tribute to the late Wayman Tisdale featuring André Berry on lead bass. André plays Wayman's signature slap bass reminding at this great musician. “The guy was always so happy, so positive, always had a smile, always made you feel great,” recently commented Peter White. On Tribal Sphere Greg shows a jazzy excursion into world music and jazz fusion in the style of Joe Zawinul. Excellent sax and keyboard work! With the interlude Coming & Going Greg mirrors his thoughts on solo piano. The romantic ballade The Prayer unites Terry Wollman on acoustic guitar with Greg's piano performance. An awesome melody seamlessly played. The lazy moment of a sunny Sunday, Greg catch this mood in Sunday Morning. Final tune of this brilliant album is Home featuring sax legend Kirk Whalum, who will release a tribute album to Donny Hathaway next month. Greg Manning's The Calling shines brightly. Give this album a listen, it's without no doubt worth to spend some of your precious time. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/gregmanning1

Personnel:  Greg Manning (Keyboards, Piano, Programming, Shakers, Cymbals, Vocals); Mindi Abair (Alto & Soprano Saxophones); Jimmi Reid (Alto Saxophone); Tom Evans (Tenor Saxophone); Kirk Whalum (Tenor Saxophone); Terry Wollman (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Hand Claps); Keb' Mo' (Acoustic Guitar); Fred Clark (Electric Guitar); Andre Berry (Bass); Hussain Jiffry (Electric Bass); Jamey Tate (Drums); Kevin Moore II (Drums, Percussion Programming); Munyungo Jackson (Percussion); Jan Stevens (Bongos, Hand Claps); Patrick Bettison (Chromatic Harmonica); Dawn Norfleet, Tiffany Smith (Vocals).

The Calling

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Greg Manning - Sugar & Spice

Styles: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:52
Size: 98,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:11)  1. Sugar & Spice (feat. Donald Hayes)
(4:36)  2. Round 'N'Round (feat. J. Reid)
(4:46)  3. I Need to Know (feat. Adam Hawley)
(4:57)  4. When You Love Someone (feat. Gabriel Hasselbach)
(3:42)  5. Caribbean Breeze
(4:44)  6. Les Étoiles de Paris (feat. Patrick Bettison)
(4:12)  7. Esperanza
(2:30)  8. The Beauty Within
(5:04)  9. Happy (feat. Donald Hayes)
(4:05) 10. Before the Dawn

Born in Nigeria and brought up in Switzerland, composer producer and keyboard player Greg Manning moved to Los Angeles in the nineties. Since then he has been building a niche position within the annals of contemporary jazz not only through his collaborations with Mindi Abair and Jonathan Butler but also with his own ever-expanding discography. His 2010 project, ‘The Calling’, quickly got the ball rolling and he followed up four years later with the excellent ‘Dance With You’.  Now, with a release date of July 22, comes ‘Sugar & Spice’ from which the title cut is already blazing a trail to radio. http://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2016/06/greg-manning-sugar-spice.html

Sugar & Spice

Friday, November 21, 2014

Greg Manning - Dance With You

Size: 120,1 MB
Time: 51:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Bahia (4:57)
02. Phoenix Rise! (4:10)
03. Say Yes (4:46)
04. For The Love Of You (4:54)
05. Groove Me (Extended Version) (5:16)
06. Cruisin' Down The Road (4:25)
07. I Can't Make You Love Me (4:54)
08. Elegant Lady (4:13)
09. Dance With You (3:55)
10. Wayman (4:21)
11. Look Up (5:20)

Swiss-American keyboardist Greg Manning made it a point to impress with his 2010 debut release The Calling which featured such high profile names as renowned saxophonist KirkGreg Manning CD Whalum and bluesman Keb’Mo’. He now returns with a nicely crafted and sturdy release called Dance With You. With lots of bounce and soulful grooves, he beckons to the lovers of dance and romance to come his way.

Again arriving with some heavyweight help in the form of saxtress Mindi Abair and rising star saxmen Elan Trotman and Vincent Ingala, among others, Manning sets a deliberate pace and direction here.

The mid-tempo lead track “Bahia” tantalizes with a Brazilian touch and ushers in the funk element in key places, as well. It’s quickly followed by a funky up-tempo dancer called “Phoenix Rise!” featuring saxman Gianni Vancini. These two, along with the frenetic “Groove Me,” the funky, sassy “Cruising Along the Road,” and the shake-your-groove-thang title track point to where the up-tempo vibe of the album plans to take you.

Tossing in the smooth, light, and romance-laden “Say Yes,” a riveting cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (she is apparently a fave of his as he also covered her “Nick of Time“ on his debut release) and a cool, swaying mid-tempo tribute to our fallen brother Wayman Tisdale with “Wayman” solidifies the appeal of this well-produced CD. Actually, “Wayman” is a reprise of the version he provided on his debut release with more emphasis on a keys lead rather than bass here. Nice touch.

A diverse package of moods clearly defines this album. Manning’s understanding of what shapes a really good smooth jazz project is evident here as he explores the feel-good, the romantic, and the introspective aspects of this music. Kudos for a great job on this his sophomore effort. – Ronald Jackson

Dance With You