Not letting asthma get in his way of playing the sax, the latest installment from Sax Man and multi instrumentalist Chris Godber shows off his unique sound in Contemporary Jazz while showcasing his Gospel Roots and R&B chops as well!! Following up to his 'One Breath at a Time" album, Godber lays out his interpretations on some classic R&B hits from yesterday and today along with some of his own Contemporary originals, one co-written with Thomas Warren.
The album opens up with ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’', a song some may remember well by McFadden & Whitehead. Although you can easily recognize the song, Chris added his own flavor and made the song his. Then ‘Kick Back’ kicks in, his collaboration with Thomas Warren. Then it’s time for Earth, Wind a Fire’s ‘September’, an up-tempo cover that makes you want to dance. ‘Soul Jam’ is an upbeat original with a sound similar to Eric Darius at times
followed by a cover of Bruno Mar's, ‘Just The Way You Are’. Chris is propbably the first saxophonist to cover this track. Things cool down with a Kenny G esque original ballad, ‘Falling In Love’ inspired no doubt by his relationship with his wife. Next up is smooth arrangement of ‘Praise Is What I Do’ showing off his Gosple roots. Another brand new track is the mid-tempo R&B groove, ‘My Offering’ leading to the album's dessert at the end, a modern interpretation of Grover Washington Jr.’s hit ‘Mister Magic’. Here Godber pays tribute by doing justice to the original
yet adding his own unque sound to the mix!
"Sometimes he makes me think of Kenny G…you can easily situate him between those other more famous smooth jazz sax players! "
-Patrick Van de Wiele - smoothjazz.eu
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