Multi-instrumentalist Konstantin Klashtorni follows the tradition of many professional jazz musicians such as John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter,  Eric Dolphy and Herbie Mann. In the era of home studios this is a fairly common time appearance.

Klashtorni is recording his albums this way since several years. In 2011 he started his Smooth Jazz series with the album Smooth Jazz I. Nevertheless on this special album he was joined by Adir Kochavi (trumpet, flugelhorn), Roy Louis (bass and guitars), Glenn Gaddum (piano), and several gifted singers on selected tracks.

The powerful Let's Get It On with the sax in the lead gives the album a perfect start. With the addition of a second saxophone the song gets an extra dose of vigorous energy.

All Over Me features the expressive singer Maruja Bogaard. Born in Curacao she has that magic voice, that makes a song to an experience. Day In Day Out move to a more emotive harmonic sax performance.

The aptly titled You Go To My Head compresses smooth jazz essence in blazing harmony to a captivating melody. Sax, guitar and piano find democratic application. With I'll Be There Konstantin delivers a further stroke of brilliance. Sexy sax is nicely underlined with intelligent keyboard sounds. Breaks and transformations keep the song out of uniformity.

Here We Go comes with a sonic punch and Konstantin's endeavor for diversity in instrumentation is significantly audible. However different methodological approaches do not prevent boring overload by constant practice of the same saxophone sound. Konstantin tries to avoid this by using other instruments as breaks like the trumpet on Forward.

This significant unison of the saxophone is also found on Gonna Be All Right. At Last presents anew the smooth sax as lead instrument and pepped in as overdub process. The flute creates a welcome change in between. The Moment artfully merge sax interpretation with a female background choir in a honey­toned swing and tasty guitar work. Just Feels Right brings the best at last. From start to finish authenticity with a strong gospel character.

Smooth Jazz I is not a pure instrumental album. The vocal portion, let me say the human factor, raises it notably over the level of the other releases. Admittedly Konstantin Klashtorni's projects have all high potential.

 

 


 

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Album Information

Title: Smooth Jazz I
Artist: Konstantin Klashtorni
Year: 2011
Length: 0:47:04
Genre: General Jazz
Label: KvK Music


Tracks:
01 Let's Get It On [4:25]
02 All Over Me [3:58]
03 Day In Day Out [4:24]
04 You Go To My Head [4:37]
05 I'll Be There [4:11]
06 Here We Go [4:17]
07 Forward [4:04]
08 Gonna Be All Right [4:13]
09 At Last [3:59]
10 The Moment [4:21]
11 Just Feels Right [4:35]