Reviews
Smooth Jazz Daily reviews "Night Flower"
John Evans & Dream are a constant in the smooth jazz music market. Since their album Dream in 2007 they released The Winding Road (2009), Postcard from the Moon (2010) and this year Night Flower.
Keyboardist John Evans is supported on this album by Ron Jones (saxophones), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey (vocals) and Andy Timmons (guitar). One can say, long time companions.
John has composed and arranged all songs. Sandy Evans has written all lyrics. The opening I Just Can't Get Over You presents the group in best from. Jennifer Perryman interprets the content of the song with an authentic and engaging voice. Ron Jones on tenor sax shows up as excellent accompaniment. Also the arrangement boasts a variety of details.
Soft Summer Breeze reminds me of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, as if time had stood still. The harmonic chorus of the female singers blends beautifully as one. All I Wanna' Do Is Dance comes as Salsa infected song featuring Annagrey's smoky vocals in a glowing performance.
The instrumental The Fatback Strut shines with a fine horn arrangement in the style of The Tower of Power or Greg Adams' East Bay Soul peppered with nice guitar riffs. The album closes too soon with the dreamy Night Flower. Ron Jones on soprano sax takes the lead, while John Evans adds some atmospheric chords.
Night Flower is an album for the young at heart who want to look back and cannot forget the golden music of the good old time.
Keyboardist John Evans is supported on this album by Ron Jones (saxophones), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey (vocals) and Andy Timmons (guitar). One can say, long time companions.
John has composed and arranged all songs. Sandy Evans has written all lyrics. The opening I Just Can't Get Over You presents the group in best from. Jennifer Perryman interprets the content of the song with an authentic and engaging voice. Ron Jones on tenor sax shows up as excellent accompaniment. Also the arrangement boasts a variety of details.
Soft Summer Breeze reminds me of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, as if time had stood still. The harmonic chorus of the female singers blends beautifully as one. All I Wanna' Do Is Dance comes as Salsa infected song featuring Annagrey's smoky vocals in a glowing performance.
The instrumental The Fatback Strut shines with a fine horn arrangement in the style of The Tower of Power or Greg Adams' East Bay Soul peppered with nice guitar riffs. The album closes too soon with the dreamy Night Flower. Ron Jones on soprano sax takes the lead, while John Evans adds some atmospheric chords.
Night Flower is an album for the young at heart who want to look back and cannot forget the golden music of the good old time.
Paul Dunkel - Music Director & Conductor of the Westchester Philharmonic (New York):
“I've been listening to Dream, a lovely recording based on the music of the gifted American composer John Evans. Mr. Evans obviously has an ear for lyrical lines and many of his songs are extended in these instrumental versions. The arrangements are subtle and colorful. The playing is first rate throughout. For this listener (a classical musician) Mr. Evans seems to have learned lessons from several major composers: Debussy comes to mind first. My particular favorite cut is "Para Bailar" with its Latin edge. Each selection has a catchy groove and there is enough variety between the five compositions to satisfy any listener whether he be from the pop or classical worlds.”
Billboard reviews: "Postcard from the Moon"
John Evans of Fort Worth, TX and the rotating crew of singers and musicians who make up Dream have put together an eclectic mix of soothing jazzy records on “Postcard from the Moon.” The technical precision is apparent from the first few staggeringly smooth notes on opener, “You Never Taught Me How to Say Goodbye.” Vocal contributions to a few of the record’s tracks add an extra sweetness to the already easily palatable pieces…. But there’s a fierce quality looming—“Bronx Blue” has guitars that almost hint at metal influences. While the juxtaposition sounds strange, it works well. The album’s standout is “7th Avenue”, which is full of frenetic energy. Evans has a grasp on how to interplay tough and tame, leading the record to an overall success.
Smooth Jazz Daily reviews:"Postcard from the Moon"
SMOOTH JAZZ DAILY: John Evans & Dream, “Postcard from the Moon”
John Evans is widely known by his collaboration with David Sanborn on his album Hideaway. Evans composed and co- penned Creeper with Sanborn. Last year I reviewed his album The Winding Road (2009).Now he is back with his new album Postcard from the Moon (2010). All songs are composed and arranged by John Evans.
Keyboardist John Evans is joined on this album by his band Dream, Ron Jones (saxophones & flute), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), Chuck Rainey (Fender bass), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums & vocals), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals) and new Andy Timmons (guitar).
The album starts with the ballad You Never Taught Me How To Say Goodbye. The heartfelt song about the loss of a beloved person features lovely singer Jennifer Perryman. The horn arrangement borrows from Earth, Wind & Fire, the vocal arrangement from the Carpenters, a delightful mixture.
Sloppy Joe's touches the Latin string. Excellent the rhythm section and especially Larry Spencer on trumpet. Emilio reminds me of Harry Bellafonte's Island In The Sun. Yes, that is the swing of the '50's and still standing the test of time.
On Bronx Blue you can listen to heavy blues intonations with Ron Jones on featured tenor sax and Andy Timmons on guitar. Walking along 7th Avenue we arrived contemporary jazz with jazz rock elements.
Postcard From The Moon presents the terrific singer Rosana Eckert, who perfectly fits into the horn arrangement. Really impressive.
John Evans is widely known by his collaboration with David Sanborn on his album Hideaway. Evans composed and co- penned Creeper with Sanborn. Last year I reviewed his album The Winding Road (2009).Now he is back with his new album Postcard from the Moon (2010). All songs are composed and arranged by John Evans.
Keyboardist John Evans is joined on this album by his band Dream, Ron Jones (saxophones & flute), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), Chuck Rainey (Fender bass), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums & vocals), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals) and new Andy Timmons (guitar).
The album starts with the ballad You Never Taught Me How To Say Goodbye. The heartfelt song about the loss of a beloved person features lovely singer Jennifer Perryman. The horn arrangement borrows from Earth, Wind & Fire, the vocal arrangement from the Carpenters, a delightful mixture.
Sloppy Joe's touches the Latin string. Excellent the rhythm section and especially Larry Spencer on trumpet. Emilio reminds me of Harry Bellafonte's Island In The Sun. Yes, that is the swing of the '50's and still standing the test of time.
On Bronx Blue you can listen to heavy blues intonations with Ron Jones on featured tenor sax and Andy Timmons on guitar. Walking along 7th Avenue we arrived contemporary jazz with jazz rock elements.
Postcard From The Moon presents the terrific singer Rosana Eckert, who perfectly fits into the horn arrangement. Really impressive.
Billboard reviews: “The Winding Road”
Composer/arranger John Evans has been a master of smooth jazz for some 30 years, since he helped escort veteran saxophonist David Sanborn to RIAA gold with the composition “Creeper.” His previous solo release “Dream,” was an unqualified smash, where it topped the CD Baby sales chart in 2007 and remained in the top 10 of its Smooth Jazz Album chart for more than two years.
Sophomore CD “The Winding Road” on Studio Records LLC, again aligns Evans with his ensemble Dream, and keeps the genre’s fires burning -”if cool to the touch”- with a six-track triptych of gently swaying melodic embers.
Among the set’s most virtuous qualities is its attention to nuance and diversity in the arrangements. Album opener “Easy Love” adds a touch of harmonic vocals - courtesy of Rosana Eckert and Annagrey Labasse - to a pleasingly swaying percussive backdrop, a la playful 1960’s Herb Alpert; while “In A Gentle Way” is full-on radio-ready smooth jazz, calming and genial. Both tracks showcase Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Meanwhile, “Love Will Find A Way” features a sonic serenade from Jones and Larry Spencer on trumpet, interacting with one another like teasing inamorata; and “I Was A Fool,” composed by Evans, with lyrics by his wife Sandy, offers a full vocal performance that accompanies a sensual melody line including drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman with Jones on sax. “Tight Squeeze,” a highlight of “The Winding Road,” tosses a bossa nova vibe into the mix, with a Latin-infused arrangement that offers Jones an opportunity to shine on flute, with Spencer on horns. The title track closes the album like a luminescent mid-summer sunset: beautiful, calming and gentle on the senses.
Evans’ “Road” is destined to be traveled again and again. With each journey, listeners are sure to see new sites and hear new sounds. Just exceptional.
Sophomore CD “The Winding Road” on Studio Records LLC, again aligns Evans with his ensemble Dream, and keeps the genre’s fires burning -”if cool to the touch”- with a six-track triptych of gently swaying melodic embers.
Among the set’s most virtuous qualities is its attention to nuance and diversity in the arrangements. Album opener “Easy Love” adds a touch of harmonic vocals - courtesy of Rosana Eckert and Annagrey Labasse - to a pleasingly swaying percussive backdrop, a la playful 1960’s Herb Alpert; while “In A Gentle Way” is full-on radio-ready smooth jazz, calming and genial. Both tracks showcase Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Meanwhile, “Love Will Find A Way” features a sonic serenade from Jones and Larry Spencer on trumpet, interacting with one another like teasing inamorata; and “I Was A Fool,” composed by Evans, with lyrics by his wife Sandy, offers a full vocal performance that accompanies a sensual melody line including drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman with Jones on sax. “Tight Squeeze,” a highlight of “The Winding Road,” tosses a bossa nova vibe into the mix, with a Latin-infused arrangement that offers Jones an opportunity to shine on flute, with Spencer on horns. The title track closes the album like a luminescent mid-summer sunset: beautiful, calming and gentle on the senses.
Evans’ “Road” is destined to be traveled again and again. With each journey, listeners are sure to see new sites and hear new sounds. Just exceptional.