Art Sherrod, Jr. | Seasons

Its not everyday a smooth, contemporary, R&B influenced jazz record comes drifting your way for review on T.U.M.S. Nor has it been the case where as the industry continues to struggle playing back great quality instrumental flavors of good, experienced & very talented musicians still keeping their name out there – hoping for a chance to be heard & offer something different on the table for all of us still listening to the music. Still looking for something unique & provocative without giving in to the formula. The same cliché.

Art Sherrod brought out those differences when he dropped “Seasons” for the jazz spot & yes, this one got me from the beginning to the end. A well executed 12 track grouping of R&B infused, vocally sounded material that is sequenced track after track so well, you might as well press the repeat button for the entire album to spin itself back. No joke! As smooth as it is ever going to get, is as eloquent & graceful Art caresses the sax & explores other aspects of whats left in the instrumental jazz realm.

Track Listing:
~ To The Floor
~ Thinking Of you
~ Just Chillin’
~ You’re The One
~ Everything Will Be Alright
~ Seasons
~ On Sunday Morning
~ East Coast Steppin’
~ That’s The Way Of The World
~ Anytime
~ Smooth Groove
~ We Fall Down

The simplicity of each song easily highlights Art’s special guests: Nam, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Tracy Hamlin, Chuck Loeb, Frank McComb & Marcus Johnson – all of which have strong resumes in the smooth jazz dept.

Most of what you heard on various smooth jazz CD’s can be found here by the production: “To The Floor” plays around a little bit with that radio formula tactic, highlighting a little bit of UNam’s flavor, The background vocal appeal from Will Downing in “Thinking Of You” was a bit on the R&B tip, free flowing & stepping you into another approach for the project; The downtown, cruising in the ride feel comes into thought when “Just Chillin'” feat Gerald Albright ignites the harmony.

The track, “You’re The One” feat. Tracy Hamlin was the better track on the entire CD. It spins a totally different sound – an updated soulful production, as projected from all angles of the Rhythm & Blues dept. I digged Ms. Hamlin’s voice straight up & the melody locks your ear into the groove. The lyrics were a bit contagious as well….

Love was in the air when “Everything Will Be Alright” was introduced, again sticking with the appeal of the background vocals. This also gained a head nod, along with the typical sax crooning liners Art swoons into the composition. Guitarist Chuck Loeb helps Art load up a genuine contemporary jazz tune in “Seasons”. More vocals come in with “On Sunday Morning” & “Anytime”. This approach was significant in the overall quality & direction Art displayed to the listener & I agreed wholeheartedly with the move.

I not only recommend the “Go Get It” pass, but judge for yourselves. Look at the line above giving you the opportunity to listen in on each sample from the album, direct from Amazon, on The Jazz Page. As much as the modern radio medium is shrinking for guys like Art and his music to be aired, good stuff like this is still out there. And its right here.