Najee | Rising Sun

Najee | Rising Sun
by Ian Cooke

Rhythm and Jazz 80’s and 90’s pioneer, two-time Grammy nominee, saxophonist Najee releases his new Heads Up  International “Rising Sun” CD this August.

Blending various shades of straight-ahead as well as contemporary jazz, classic R&B and even indie rock, this set continues Najee’s innovative ideas. According to Najee, “The idea was to try to do something a little different from before.  The challenge in that is to always stay true to my own creative identity at the same time.  I’m always looking for something that’s going to make people say, Hey , this is a little different. This is something fresh.”

Opening with “Clarity”, Najee immediately lets the listener that he is playing something different with this cover of a John Mayer tune, giving people a different perspective on a currently popular tune.  “Child At Heart” has Najee switching from saxophone for the flute on this song which incorporates both a contemporary jazz vibe to it, with an acoustic jazz sound with straight ahead elements.

Najee’s cover of James Moody’s “Moody’s Mood For Love” comes from a chance encounter with Moody in a woodwind store in New York City.  Najee decided to pay tribute to the flutist who inspired him with this song.  Nicely done!

“Out Of A Dream” and “Come What May” were co-authored by Najee and James Lloyd who contributes keyboards and drum programming on both tracks.  “Out Of A Dream” has stirring horn arrangements provided by tenor saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk and trumpeter/flugelhornist Andy Kushner.

Returning to oversee “Rising Sun” is producer Chris Davis who first worked with Najee on “My Point Of View” in 2005.  Davis provided numerous songwriting credits throughout this affair.

As a true artist Najee continues to grow and experiment to make unprecedented connections and cast the musical landscape in a new light.

Ian Cooke
The Urban Music Scene