Album Notes

Saxophonist J. Plunky Branch and his group Plunky & Oneness explore subtle dimensions of creativity with the release of Saxy Mellow Moments, their new, smooth jazz CD album. Saxy Mellow Moments is a collection of music to go along with candlelight, warm smiles and tender touches. Saxy times - jazzy, magical moments when the allure of the horn whispers to the heart and calls out to the body to let go and go with the flow. Plunky & Oneness have been known for their rhythmic diversity and their progressive funky political right-on-ness. But in their 12 previous albums, they have also shown occasional moments of poignant mellowness. Saxy Mellow Moments was made to fulfill special requests of family, friends and fans who wanted a collection of songs focusing on that soft and smooth side of Plunky & Oneness. Saxy Mellow Moments is all melodious instrumentals, but the album is not one-dimensional. There are 10 original compositions at various tempos and textures and there are saxophone ballad versions of R. Kelly's ubiquitous hit, "I Believe I Can Fly" and Skip Scarbourough's "Love Changes." "This is an assortment of music to accompany the changes that love takes us through," Plunky says. "A soundtrack for when and where we want to be mellow. This is an album of music to go with glowing, holding, laying, flying, dancing, grooving, loving, cuddling - smooth music for smooth times." Jazz purists may want more pyrotechnics - but love can be hot even when it's cool. Music critics may cry for more adventure and innovation - but love is always exciting and new. And Saxy Mellow Moments is music for love.