SmoothJazz.com Review
author: Scott O'Brien
Bay Area jazz chanteuse Rocio Guitard creates an exciting musical review in one dynamic package, with this, her latest project, JAZZDANCE. What a review it is, too, covering a wide variety of styles… jazz, pop, Latin, and funk… wrapped up in enticing contemporary jazz arrangements. Do you like Manhattan Transfer? How about Dianne Schuur? If the answer to either or both is “yes,” then you already have an inkling as to what you’re going to hear on JAZZDANCE. After a sexy few lines of “Come On ‘a My House,” Ms. Guitard launches into a medley she calls “Foodie Toonz,” concocted of “Frim Fram Sauce,” “Peel Me a Grape,” and the Stones’ “Satisfaction.” And the album just keeps getting better and better, with creative interpretations of titles like “Respect,” “Harlem Nocturne,” Night and Day,” plus an absolutely killer version of “Sing Sing Sung.” Ya gotta get your hands on this one!
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A Diamond In a Sea of Fools Gold
author: Ray Nichols
Ladies and Gentlemen, If you happened to have stumbled upon this album be prepared to be amazed. With modern twists, Rocio has created music that’d have the Pioneers of Jazz smiling. Track by track of JazzDance you’re drawn in by Rocio’s sultry voice as she takes you back to a time when genuine music was the norm rather than the exception. Backed by an impeccable group of musicians, the production on this album is by far the best I’ve heard of any album, in any genre. Crystal clear fidelity, fantastic arrangements, and grooves so deep you could drive a dump truck through. If you don’t dig this, you’ve got a hole in your soul, that can’t be patched by Justin Bieber. As far as I’m concerned this album is an instant classic, and will be in heavy rotation for a LONG, LONG time.
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Even better than I expected!
author: Jon Packard
What a great CD! I knew what to expect going in - fresh, creative takes on classics, grooving band, and stellar vocals. What I got was that, but more. As in, turned up, better, refined - like Barry Bonds to jazz. There's a really nice variety to the tracks - the band is clearly capable of just about any style - but there's also a consistent "sound" through the tracks. Soaring over it all is Rocio's vocals. Clear, clean, effortless, and stylish. She negotiates each tune as if it's a favorite highway - she knows the turns, the swtichbacks and where she can lay on the gas. And she definitely lets it fly throughout.
Thoroughly enjoyable - highly recommended!
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Rocio Guitard's Jazzdance
author: Stephen Mitchell
If you're looking for a CD full of wonderful, good time, vocal lead jazz, then the latest CD release "Jazzdance" from Rocio Guitard and her band will fit the bill quite nicely. This CD release features top notch musicians tastefully flexing their collective musical muscles on some very creative arrangements, fueled by Rocio's vision and great Vocals. There's not a sleeper track to be found here, instead, your ears are treated to what fun vocal jazz was in it's heyday, and what it still is when done right.. Simply put, this CD release just flat out nails it in so many ways. Treat yourselves, and get this CD. You'll be bopping, and swinging as soon as you do…
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