Joyce Cooling, guitars and vocals,(composer and arranger), Jay Wagner, keyboards,
background vocals (composer, producer and arranger); Gary Calvin, bass;
Billy Johnson, drums; Peter Michael Escovedo III, percussion.
In the past few months, Joyce Cooling's second album release, Keeping
Cool, has risen up the national smooth Jazz radio airplay charts. Bay
Area Jazz fans have for many years been enamored with Joyce Cooling as one
of the region's most dynamic and popular guitarists even before the San
Francisco inspired hit "South of Market" from her debut record
Playing It Cool took the international smooth Jazz world by storm in 1997
receiving numerous industry honors.
Cooling says: "Jay and I wanted the new project to be a true reflection
of where we are right now, what we like, without any fear of some playful
experimentation. The challenge is to find a way to push on the parameters
of what we've done before and figure out a way to be unique, creative and
true to ourselves without alienating the listener." Cooling and Wagner
take pride in the fact that all of the tunes are original compositions.
Keeping Cool follows up on some of the key sounds from the debut record,
offering more smooth Jazz gems with spirited excursions into many of Cooling's
other longtime musical inspirations -- bossa nova and samba, funky blues,
house music, film scores and a touch of acoustic folk music.
"Callie" is the first single with a unique and dynamic mix of
Cooling's smooth Jazz guitar and Brazilian-influenced scatting set amongst
the hustle and bustle of an uptempo, urban dance party of sounds filled
with catchy keyboard organist riffs and rhythms. The tune is a tribute to
the buoyant spirit of Cooling and Wagner's late friend.
"Coasting" has a happy, pleasant feel along a George Benson-like
route in which Cooling's guitar sweetly glides, purrs and bubbles with grace
accompanied by soulful scatting. The song also includes some complementary
funky blues-oriented keyboard riffs and improvisations, with an occasional
vibes influence. "Coasting" is aptly titled - a good choice to
celebrate a ride along the coast, or to be in a coasting frame of mind!
"Coasting" as well as the cheerful cuts "Before Dawn"
(which contains a subtle bossa nova vibe with a modern groove) along with
"China Basin" should be favorites for fans who enjoyed popular
cuts from the debut such as "South of Market" and "After
Hours."
"Ain't Life Grand" - which could have just as aptly been called
"Cool Aires" - has a playful, confident air about it - it's funky,
soulful and whimsical wrapped up all-in-one. Cooling's bright and bluesy
guitarwork is smart-alecky, yet sweet and it's matched in attitude by Wagner's
bouncy staccato keyboard artistry woven with hints of gospel in the rhythm
section.
"Out of a Movie" is a unusual film noir ballad with new-age influences
of classical piano and synthesizer string effects that softly sighs with
the sometimes sardonic ironies of life.
"Simple Kind of Love," the only lead vocal tune, is also in a
likeable, smooth Jazz Benson-type mode. Cooling combines her sweet vocals
with some scatting and blues-tinged, soulful guitar. The chorus and pop
melody are simple and straightforward enabling Cooling's charm to shine
through. "Simple..." is the kind of tune an audience will enjoy
listening to and singing along with, as well as the tune "Gliding By."
On "Gliding By," a more intimate, quiet song, Cooling also shares
dulcet vocals with an easygoing finesse, accompanied solely by her folk-influenced
acoustic guitarwork.
Another unexpected, but welcome song on the new record is "Little Five
Points" which was inspired by a visit to Atlanta's music clubs. Here,
there is a mixture of traditional Jazz that nicely swings in conjunction
with the melodic smoothness of a more contemporary Jazz outlook. "Little
Five Points" includes some very tasty, blues-based, understated guitar
licks (reminiscent of early Larry Carlton) and some stylish keyboards that
include some more warm vibraphone-sounding touches to make things interesting.
Overall, Keeping Cool further expands the Cooling repertoire in very tasteful,
charming and unexpectedly delightful ways for new and old fans alike.
Cooling continues to assert that her objective is not stardom, but rather
making her mark as a composer of music which stands the test of time. "The
goal is to touch people emotionally with the music that Jay and I write,"
she says. "The goal is to communicate with the listener, to make them
part of our band experience whether they are seeing us live in concert or
listening in on the radio."
By Valynda Voz
Back to Contents
Page
Jazz Now Interactive
Copyright Jazz Now, August 2000 issue, all rights reserved
jazznow@sbcglobal.net