Kim Waters | Love Stories

Kim Waters | Love Stories

Kim Waters knows this stuff. He should know better. The cat has long stood the test of time harnessing great R&B drenched jazz melodies from over a record span 20 years in the game. Creating a splash of tracks relating to anything in the music industry. From the Hip Hop driven Streetwize CD collections to collaborating with several colleagues in the jazz network & rework plenty of classic slow jams into instrumental interpretations. Through all the various name changes in the jazz format: Contemporary Jazz,Smooth Jazz, Urban Jazz & Now Smooth Urban Jazz.

No matter what it is, it doesn’t make a difference. What makes a solid stand to me is whether or not the kid can make you turn up the volume to his music & listen. Leave an imprint to your ear. Make you play it back under any circumstances. Whether it be a hot sunny day outdoors, cloudy rainy skies indoors or just simply getting into your car & roll down the street to pick up some milk.

Kim has a unique sexy sound. Indelible, classy, charismatic & emotional. The formula to success for the majority of his solo albums has always been the sensual, romantic, jazzy urban soul music connection to the listener. It should be easy for that style considering the power of the sound coming from a saxophone – long drawn out to be the most sensual instrument in the class of the brass. When mastered, the way Kim has proven, it can take you a long way. Just ask Boney James.

With that said, The soulful, sensual sax instrumentalist gives us a fair shake with his new deal from Shanachie Entertainment entitled, “Love Stories”.

From the CD, the 10 track set controls a few quiet storming songs, reflects on a couple of old school covers – one namely in tribute to Michael Jackson – & another reminding R&B lovers how talented & outstanding Kenny Lattimore is as a singer.

1st up, “Love Story” kicks the groove into high gear, salivating the funky beats with precision.; “For Lovers Only” gets right down to it – The Slow Jam. Expect more to come.; “Song Of Passion”, “Reaching Out”, “Hangin’ Out” & “Beyond The Horizon” solves the ‘what are the mid-tempo musical selections on the project’ mystery, while Kim covers a Rolls Royce Classic “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” & maximized his exceptional sax work to a tee. “Deep In Love” came back to bless the CD with a final slow song on the way out the door.

But saving the best for last: “One More…” featuring Kenny Lattimore was the icing on the cake. The anchor that will hold down this musical ship. Undeniably the best track on the album. Kenny Lattimore has been underrepresented & underrated. The handsome crooner is one of the most gifted vocalists on the urban music scene. I’m not exaggerating neither. Once you get a taste or a sample of “One More…”….all bets, my friends, are off. You can take that to the bank.

It would also be nice to see these guys perform together live in concert. The new jazz & R&B duo similar in taste & style to the classic combination of Gerald Albright & Will Downing. Perhaps a lingering thought of Kim & Kenny together to do a CD in the near future should be a topic of discussion at the next label – company meeting.

I rate “Love Stories” a 4+ out of 5. However, without a question, this is a fine piece of work by Kim & quite possibly the best CD released by him from the last 10 years or so. He is progressing as a musician & he is staying consistent. That will help to create a Hollywood star walk of fame by thought & may grant the sax man the longing notion that he should be ranked way up there as players in the game of jazz who dealt some wonderful cards of hip instrumental music for all to hear.

Regards,
George Strand
The Urban Music Scene