Michael Fair -
Back For More
When
it comes to trumpet and flugelhorn some will remember Chuck Mangione's
"Feels So Good" or Rick Braun's "Notorious".
Michael Fair calls himself a leader in the smooth jazz genre,
specializing in flugelhorn and trumpet playing. After his debut album
"Love Me Like That" (2002) and his second album "How
Close Are We" (2003) "Back For More" (2006) is his
third collaboration with writer/producer Brandon Barnes who plays
keyboards, bass, string, guitar and drum programming on all songs.
Brandon Barnes is especially known by his work with Brian McKnight.
Brandon is a guarantor for musical quality.
The album starts with Viaje
Elegante. The Spanish title is conjuring up some Latin
flavors in the kind of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass sound.
It's On You
combines elements of smooth jazz with R&B. Melanie Barnes' vocal
refrain is take-off point for Michael's flugelhorn-escapades.
A more slower approach is What's
Her Name. A tune for a romantic hour.
Play It Like You Mean
It has certainly more fire and
agility.
When I Think Of You changes
the tempo between slow and uptempo. Slow for a contemplative mood and
quick for the wake-up call.
Love Goes On is
a radio-friendly tune with appealing hooks. Certainly the tune with
the highest potential for a commercial success published in a single
version. Michael Fair's more measured playing is infected by Brandon
Barnes R&B rhythm.
Havana Funk showcases
Michael Fair's view of Funk in an uptempo version.
You Gotta Know
is a smooth ballade featuring Brandon's sultry vocals and Michael Fair
celestial flugelhorn. R&B in the style of Babyface with a jazzy
overtone.
The title tune is a swinging tune with a repeating
melody. I like especially Brandon's short keyboard solo and the
overdub arrangement.
Lost Again begins
with familiar kalimba sound, known by EWF. The kalimba
is a thumb-piano in the West, a lamellaphone of Eastern Central and
South West Africa. The tune smoothes out into Michael Fair's flugelhorn
recital.
Think about your mood when you leave a beloved
person. Michael Fair expresses that sorrowful feelings in A Sad Goodbye.
The mood brightens up again with the midtempo Ta
Keeh Ah. Michael Fair interpretation is flowing like a
river.
Waltz for Le Le is
unique. A smooth jazz musician is playing a Waltz. The song was
originally performed at Nashville weddings.
"There is nothing more difficult, more
challenging, more frightening or more exciting for me than creating my
own music and putting it out there for others to listen to and
hopefully to enjoy or in some way be moved by. I am so thankful for
the opportunity to do so!" says Michael Fair. Now he has released
his child and it has to grow up in our hearts. His album is
tenderhearted, emotional, full of feeling and subtle. Michael Fair is
not striving for our recognition. You have to react to understand his
music.
