fantastic
author: sjonesjrmd etowah jazz
Great musician with great tight arrangements and so much versatility. These guys are very good at what they do and they can do ALL types of musical expression with great skill. Dont miss the opportunity to have this in your collection!!!!!!1
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An all around excellent CD--I enjoyed the variety!!
author: Jillian
The business of music is seemingly impossible these days when it comes to real musicians trying to get a shot at anything in the commercial rhelm, ANYONE who defies the odds and does their thang anyway deserves mucho kudos, especially when the excellence and integrity with the music is so well in tact and so respectfully laid out for the ear to hear. In my humble opinion, you guys get the ace--a well laid out selection of pleasant and easy going music, sensitive and accesible to the average ear yet interesting for those who would listen deeper--chord changes and differant rhythms that make a musician smile--in other words, it seems that you've crossed some boundaries here, not an easy thing to do and very respectable. You GO guys!!
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author: Randy McElliott
Private Island is a trio consisting of award winning veterans who have performed with many well known celebrities over the years. Get To The Point features a blend of smooth jazz and funky rhythms intertwined with focused musicianship.
"Get To The Point" is an ear catching melody with solid funk inflections. MacNeal's solid drumming lays the foundation for the rest of the trio to stretch out. Mennonna's use of horns, guitar, as well as his Joe Sample like style of keyboard create a pastiche of musical delight.
A beautiful ballad, "The High Seas" offers up a delightful blend of silky sax and hypnotic rhythms. Flowing ever so gently, the trio engages in an exotic musical trip.
When it comes to pure funk, "Rumblin' Bumblin' Stumblin'" delivers. Shades of Tower of Power are evident throughout. Mennonna's short staccato like approach keeps the groove alive. A tightly woven melody along with fine musicianship make this an unforgettable delight.
"Magic Potion" is another ballad featuring Mennonna's poignant sax. The trio's sensitivity and control are evident throughout.
With a welcome organ intro, "Nothing You Can Do" is a vocal vehicle highlighting the contemporary rhythms and vocal skills of Dana Calitri and Porter Carroll. Mennonna's sax offers a smooth musical blanket to the arrangement.
"Open Road", with it's bouncy melody features a keyboard intro from Mennonna before the rest of the trio join into the celebration.
Featuring a balanced set of carefully arranged melodies, Get To The Point is a satisfying debut from this gifted trio. Offering up a variety of styles and vocals into the mix, Private Island is poised to continue making accessible music for many to enjoy.
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Great all around CD!!!
author: marshall toppo
What a pleasure it was to listen to the Private Island CD! Great performances by REAL musicians playing well written tunes...and the whole CD sounds remarkable! A+++
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