aj
aj (ahhsh)
© Copyright-aj
(634479450983)
Record Label: AndJam
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"äj (pronounced Ahhsh) Listen to what other artists and industry people are saying about äj!
Verve recording artist Regina Carter (jazz violin) äj is fresh yet familiar. äj combines various musical genre to send positive messages that we need to hear. What a team! Muzz Skillings, (formerly of Living Colour, bassist)
No copycat sound here! äj enriches the tradition of American Music employing real muscianship (excellent vocals, guitar, and flute work!) to create songs we can all relate to and enjoy. Ann Ruckert, The Songwriters Guild of America
I think äj is fabulous! I envy the A&R person who gets to work with them. I'd definitely buy their music. This songwriting duo was chosen by Songwriters Guild of America's president and world renown songwriter George David Weiss to win the 1997 President's Award for excellency in songwriting. This self titled debut CD features the smooth vocals and flute of Andrea combined with the accomplished guitar stylings and soulful vocals of James.
The first song on the CD immediately emits an atmosphere of relaxation and utter excitement simultaneously! äj music is a sound musical investment. If you need to relax and unwind this is the perfect CD to add to your ""cool out"" music collection!"
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Best album out of 10,000 in collection!
author: Edwin R Paige III
"In the rain" is the epitemy of the Quiet Storm. It's a part instrumental and vocal song the leads to a cresendo when James singings "It's time for the rainbow" then Andrea follows with a touching flute solo. This song is built on the simpliest of riffs heard in the introduction and it goes from there. This is definitely in my Top 5 All-time complete with rain effects and is somewhat similar to Smokey Robinson's "Quiet Storm".
"I've got everything" has a very slight Carribean rhythm but it's blended in with a classic soul style with sythn harp and string. This one was my first favorite as there's some sensual interplay as the both take a verse and react to each other's phrases.
"How about me" has a killer pre-chours given by James. The song really focuses about the start of a relationship and what they like to do and seek in their partner. James sense of melody really shines on this one.
"You've got me baby" has infects flute hooks and strong scatting. Their voices near the bridge go off in different directions as this a sonic masterpiece on a budget with live drums. When they performed this it sounded identical to the track.
The "AJ interlude" begins soft and quiet for about 30 seconds and then breaks out into a funky improvizational workout between the sax and acoustic guitar.
"There's someone out there" is the most uptempo of the bunch but would easily pass as a ballad. The guitar riffs here are very tight and there's even a breif bass solo in the bridge. Andrea's vocals soar and there's plenty of drum machines on this one it would have been a killer on early 90's soul radio with its heavy bassline.
"You're so beautiful" is a showcase for James' upper register. There's plenty of brief jazzy interludes called turnarounds that add a punch and original dynamic to this one. His falsetto at the end is very reminiscent of Phil Perry as he's overdubbed and you can hear him singing 2 or 3 passages at once.
"Love is where it's spozed 2 B" has live drums and cymbols galore. Andrea takes the lead here and her flute really makes the memorable riffs.
"Wedding" is entirely instrumental but is a real throwback to 70's smooth jazz. If Earl Klugh and Bobbi Humphrey ever did a ballad where they traded solos this is what it might sound like.
"Just for you and me" is a song designed for weddings and is based off of a simple introductory guitar riff. There's a synth througout it that almost sounds like steel pans. The acoustic guitar work makes up for the at times trite semi-spoken lyrics on this one.
"Give love another try" is the only song in a different time signature. Here they give us a split vocal over a 12/8 rhythm and an electric guitar solo in the bridge. It could have easily been a late 80's hit.
"I've got to fly" reminds me of something Verticle Hold would do and is the second mid to uptempo number. It has a fairly thick hip hop rhythm with some nice melodic flute and lyrics from Andrea.
"Follow your heart" has some sweet guitar licks and has a real southern soul feel. There's a nice spoken bridge by Andrea and the two really adlib with strong call and response in both the verse and ending choruses.
Overall this is a killer Quiet Storm set as it borders on jazz and R&B. The songs are as neatly crafted as Antia Baker's Rapture Lp and there are as many excursions into Brazilian and Latin rhythms in time keeping as there are on Blue Magic's debut. This is a serious one but sadly it is a decade old and this is the first review.
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