Brazilian Nights
| Brazilian Nights | ||||
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| Studio album by Kenny G | ||||
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Publication |
January 27, 2015 |
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| Label (s) | Concord Records | |||
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Format (s) |
CD, download, streaming |
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Title (number) |
10/14/16 (10 + 6) |
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running time |
60:01 / 78:06 / 90:41 (60:01 + 30:40) |
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| occupation |
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Kenny G, Walter Afanasieff |
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Brazilian Nights is the seventeenth studio album by the American saxophonist Kenny G . It was released on January 27, 2015.
backgrounds
In the five to six years before the release, Kenny G said he had only one Stan Getz album in his CD player , which contains a lot of bossa nova music. He noted that while there were a lot of things on the album that he liked, there were also, as on every work, some that he didn't like. As a result, he had the vision of creating the all-round perfect, definitive Bossa Nova CD for his taste, with which the idea for Brazilian Nights was born. In addition to Getz, Kenny G also named Cannonball Adderley and Paul Desmond as inspirations for the album. What is special about the work is that there are only two songs in which the soprano saxophone otherwise preferred by the musician is used. The interpreter decided on this because the bossa nova of the 50s and 60s mainly used alto and tenor saxophones , and this gives his music a more authentic sound.
Kenny G and Walter Afanasieff wrote the five new compositions for the album and produced all the tracks together. The latter also played the piano and keyboards .
The song Bossa Réal was released as the only single.
music
Brazilian Nights mixes the variety of smooth jazz for which Kenny G became famous with the sounds of the Latin American music style of bossa nova . It can therefore also be assigned to the hybrid genre of Latin Jazz . All tracks on the album are instrumental ; There are no officially named guest musicians . The album also contains equal parts original compositions and cover versions . At the center of every song is Kenny G's saxophone playing, which is accompanied by piano, keyboard, various rhythm instruments and strings .
Cover design
The cover artwork for Brazilian Nights is kept in warm brown tones . It shows Kenny G sitting on a bench with his head looking back and smiling. He wears a white shirt , an untied black bow tie , black pants and black patent leather shoes . To his left is a large case with a saxophone on it. A yellow glowing lamp is attached to the wall above . Approximately in the middle of the picture is the name of the artist in thin, white capital letters across the picture, whereby the "G" is partially covered by the hand of the musician. Above this, the album title is clearly smaller in the left half of the picture in italics in orange lowercase letters.
Track list
| Standard Edition / 2-Disc Edition: CD 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | title | length |
| 1. | Bossa Antigua | 3:48 |
| 2. | Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) | 7:30 |
| 3. | Bossa Réal | 7:36 |
| 4th | Brazilian Nights | 6:32 |
| 5. | April Rain | 6:48 |
| 6th | Melina Moca | 5:57 |
| 7th | Bu Bossa | 4:25 |
| 8th. | Clouds | 5:37 |
| 9. | Girl from Ipanema | 5:33 |
| 10. | Summer love | 6:15 |
| Deluxe Edition | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | title | length |
| 1. | Bossa Antigua | 3:48 |
| 2. | Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) | 7:30 |
| 3. | Bossa Réal | 7:36 |
| 4th | Brazilian Nights | 6:32 |
| 5. | April Rain | 6:48 |
| 6th | Melina Moca | 5:57 |
| 7th | Bu Bossa | 4:25 |
| 8th. | Clouds | 5:37 |
| 9. | Girl from Ipanema | 5:33 |
| 10. | Summer love | 6:15 |
| 11. | Loving You (Live) | 3:22 |
| 12. | G Bop (Live) | 4:18 |
| 13. | Forever in Love (Live) | 5:41 |
| 14th | Heart and Soul (Live) | 4:41 |
| 2-Disc Edition: CD 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | title | length |
| 1. | Loving You (Live) | 3:25 |
| 2. | G Bop (Live) | 4:18 |
| 3. | Forever in Love (Live) | 4:42 |
| 4th | Havana (Live) | 3:39 |
| 5. | Desafinado (Live) | 8:48 |
| 6th | Heart and Soul (Live) | 4:48 |
criticism
Brazilian Nights received essentially benevolent reviews. Kenny G would seem particularly laid back on the album and get absorbed in the relaxed rhythms . Those who previously liked his lyrical melodies would not be disappointed, but those who are already negative towards the artist would not change their mind here. Even if G's stylistic trademarks were consistently present, he definitely dares to try something new and try his hand at familiar bossa nova songs. His own compositions were also received positively. The work wants to be nothing more than neat, romantic music, and it would work as such. However, it was felt that his organic drumming instead of drum machines would have been better.
success
Brazilian Nights only landed at number 86 on the Billboard 200 and represents a commercial flop for Kenny G. It is his first studio album since 1985, which did not reach the top half of the charts. With the exception of his non-chartered, self-titled debut album , with only one week's stay, it is the artist's studio work that has been in the charts for the shortest time. In the rest of the world it could not position itself in the charts.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Parade article. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ Behind the Scenes Video. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ credits. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ^ "Bossa Real" single. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ album cover. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ Smooth Jazz Therapy Review. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ Jazz Times review. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ^ AllMusic review. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ US charts. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
- ↑ Kenny G in the US charts. Retrieved November 5, 2019 .
