Rhythm and Romance

Overview

Smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G delivers more of his trademark romantic saxophone sound, but with a Latin tinge on 2008's Rhythm and Romance. Rather than simply delivering a standard smooth jazz album with a few Latin beats, G has crafted a more of a straight-up Latin dance album. Moving from the frenetic and up-tempo salsa of "Sax-O-Loco," to the romantic and elegant orchestral ballad "Sabor a Mi" and the steamy fun of "Miramir Bailar," this is a rhythmically compelling and passionate affair that finds G in newly energized form. Where G can sometimes seem a little too programmed and predictable, here he and his fellow musicians are fired up with a kind of organic, playful joy. We even get to hear him burning through his solo on the gypsy-inflected "Peruvian Nights" with a visceral fortitude that's more post-bop than instrumental pop. Joining G here are such Latin music luminaries as former Weather Report drummer Alex Acuna, percussionists Paulinho Da Costa and Michito Sanchez, and guest vocals featuring Barbara Munoz and the Mexican pop trio Camila. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	02/05/2008
Label:	Concord Records
UPC:	0888072306707
Rank:	1163

Tracks

1. Sax-O-Loco
2. Ritmo y Romance
3. Sabor a Mi
4. Tango
5. Mirame Bailar
6. Peruvian Nights
7. Brasilia
8. Besame Mucho
9. Fiesta Loca
10. Es Hora de Decir
11. Copa de Amor
12. Salsa Kenny

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kenny G   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Barbara Mu¿¿oz   Primary Artist,Vocals
Camila   Primary Artist
Ramon Stagnero   Guitar
Michito Sanchez-Reyes   Percussion
Michito S¿¿nchez   Percussion
Daniel Fornero   Trumpet
Dan Higgins   Saxophone
Gary Grant   Trumpet
Pablo Hurtado   Guitar
Ron Powell   Percussion
Andrew Martin   Trombone
Rafael Padilla   Percussion
Alex Acu¿¿a   Drums
Jorge Calandrelli   Conductor
Enrique Martinez   Accordion
Samo   Vocals
Paulinho Da Costa   Percussion
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr.   Trombone
John Pena   Bass
Mario Domm   Vocals
Nathan East   Bass
Walter Afanasieff   Piano,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Walter Afanasieff   Keyboard Programming,Arranger,Composer,Producer,Programming,Rhythm Programming
Barbara Mu¿¿oz   Featured Artist
Camila   Featured Artist
Chris Brooke   Engineer
Michael Muller   Photography
Steve Churchyard   Engineer,String Engineer
Kenny Gorelick   Composer
Consuelo Vel¿¿zquez   Composer
Humberto Gatica   Mixing,Engineer
Tyler Gordon   Programming,Digital Editing,Program Engineer
Jorge Calandrelli   String Arrangements,Orchestral Arrangements
Valente Torrez   Assistant Engineer
Alvaro Carillo   Composer
Gina Zimmitti   Orchestra Contractor
Matt Taylor   Design,Art Direction
Claudia Brant   Composer
Emma Trask   Stylist
Gabriel Casta¿¿¿¿n   Assistant Engineer
Danielle Decker   Grooming
Charlie G.   A&R
Consuelo Velasquez   Composer
Alvaro Carrillo   Composer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Kenny G   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Emanuel Kiriakou   Programming,Digital Editing,Program Engineer
Jerry Hey   Horn Arrangements
Rodolfo Vazquez   Vocal Engineer
Alex Rodriguez   Mixing Assistant
Rich Davis   Production Coordination

Editorial Reviews

With a success record like his, it would be easy for Kenny G to coast at this stage. So it's to the saxophonist's credit that he shifts his signature sound every so slightly in a Latin direction. No one would mistake Kenny for a Mario Rivera or Jimmy Bosch -- his soloing is blissfully ignorant of the rhythmic demands of the clavé, but plenty of more serious jazz musicians made the same gringo moves back in the '50s. Mixing up his Latin bag with Brazilian, tango, and South American rhythms, Kenny's album is almost a nostalgic glimpse at the Ricky Ricardo era, as he plies melodic run over melodic run, skipping across the percolating beat of the bongos. What Kenny G triumphs at on Rhythm & Romance is what he's best at: creating a sustained, undemanding backdrop for casual listening -- and fans will welcome this mildly spicy departure.