I met Paul at an outdoor performance in October and was amazed with his sound. His skill and versatility were equal to that of several of my greats! He played some of the favorite Benson with "Paul flair" as well as his "Paul material". Paul is as good as the best! We talked later about music and I Paul told me of his cd that is available. I now have the cd and as I read the credits...this man is such a talent!! I see that Paul not only performed but produced this piece... everything was VERY WELL PERFORMED, MIXED AND PRODUCED! I am not in the music business but I am a music critic and recognize the musical and technical genius that is his. Paul's orginal stuff is fresh and performed amazingly well. His talent is equal to the best! The visual portion of his talent: cd folder, web site, promotional materials are FIRST CLASS! Paul has an attitude about his sound that can only lead to his highest success! thx Paul
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Accelerate your mind, adjust your ambiance levels, flip on the auto pilot button and get ready for the ride of your life with the effortless launch of Paul CruiZe’s latest audio adventure into the realm of contemporary smooth jazz. CruiZe Control is the kind of CD you just set and then let it take you wherever you want to go.
It’s so easy to see yourself lounging on the spacious deck of a chartered yacht bronzing underneath the Caribbean sun while drifting on the romantic suggestion of “Groove With Me.” There is every reason to yearn for the seductive way piano and guitar consummate their love for this melody. If only two people could blend so perfectly. This track has the reminiscent flava of an old school back in the day slow jam with the fiber optic feel of contemporary chill expertise. Oooooh Paul, this is a do me again favorite.
Every song is stretched with mellow, smooth tenderness as if tailored to those who dream large and play effortlessly. The cryptic message of “Need U” is demonstrated by the savvy runs CruiZe makes on his ax with articulating accuracy. This is obviously an artist whose mystery is encased in his music. Even 007 would find CruiZe appeal a musically descriptive backdrop for his undercover operations. However, the true revelation of CruiZe skills can be heard in the very difficult acoustic solo, “The Road 2 Eldorado,” where Spanish guitar speaks with volumes of passion. Though the song is brief and not long enough, true respect for the talents of this versatile musician must be acknowledged.
The continuum along this smooth journey includes the poignant musical version of “Broken Wings” written by Richard Page, John Lang & Steve George. Here, Paul CruiZe magic grows the song from tearful recollections of the soul to defiant promise and certainty that the voyage with him is magically spirit filled, as his electric guitar slides upward in climactic response to cries from shipwrecked dreamers and wayfarers of all kinds.
But, in “In the Meantime” it’s all about the CruiZe. The ocean breeze is hypnotic, and your tan is baked into every inch of skin. Suddenly a tuxedo clad waiter appears on deck in the hot sun announcing libations for the thirsty. There’s just enough music to grab your Margarita, flip over onto your stomach and even out the glow. There isn’t a worry in the world, because you know who pilots your boat, but in the meantime...it’s all about the...well, you know!
Somewhere in the cabin below, an old cowboy western plays softly on the portable DVD player. “The Return of Alvarez” is a sensual track that drifts you into a time long ago when many a high plains drifter loved their women hard and then rode anonymously into the sunset with a smile on their face. Even with this touch of nostalgic drama, you can’t help but think the CruiZe message is as gentle as it is timeless. Grab life by the horns, lasso your goals, love life hard, and then ride gloriously into the horizon.
A primary sweetness overflows in his version of “Kiss of Life” that makes me prefer the words of his strings and frets over the hallowed taboo of Sade’s long loved classic. But, to be certain there is no residue tension on this musical trip, “Wavelength” mellows your distress to a nondescript blip on the radar screen, and long before the song ends, you have invested in a new way of life that announces chill out voyager as your new vocation.
Opulent infinity is what you experience when the panoramic view of the ocean massages “I’m Missin’ U” into the smoothness of your memory hoping you will forever linger adrift with Paul CruiZe and his rich guitar sunsets. Relaxed, nurtured and soaking in the sensual scenery of his unique sound, this is definitely a getaway experience not to be missed.
Navigating towards the isle of funk, this yacht drops anchor off the vibolitic shore of “Was it Somethin’ I Said?” with raw nu jazz nuance that assigns motion to the ocean, tremble in the tide and homage from my hips in salute to the way the track rolls you up to your feet to dance even if you can’t.
With the consensus of almost having too much fun, we embark for port with little desire to end the bliss of this amazing CD. Yet, this CruiZe has a sixth sense about what pleases his audience, and, “Whatever the Lady Wants” is a romantic finale to a mesmerizing excursion on the rolling and rhythmic seas of musical genius.
Floating on the serenity of Paul CruiZe’s mature ambient style, one shudders to think of returning to a world of the ordinary after delighting in the affluent pleasure of cruising the music realm with this gifted acoustic jazz guitarist/pianist. At any rate CruiZe Control is every bit a worthy diversion from the mundane existence of life, to a musically fragrant paradise that spares no expense along the journey. This is an unforgettable cruise with CruiZe you will want to take, over and over, again and again....
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