Eric Marienthal - It's Love - Printable Version +- Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com) +-- Forum: Music Discussion (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Jazz/Big Band/Easy Listening/Soft Rock (https://www.music-discussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=13) +--- Thread: Eric Marienthal - It's Love (/showthread.php?tid=6635)

Eric Marienthal - It's Love - Music Head - 01-02-2012 online listen while I would normally pass on what I know to be an instrumental album I do consider jazz a different animal that's mainly old style jazz but I will occasionally step out to the modern stuff plus I was intrigued by this guys association with Al Hirt, Chic Corea and Jeff Lorber some nice strings, piano, guitar to accompany Eric's sax playing and hey anythings a step up from the death metal of yesterday and this was also better than Kenny G this is nothing I would buy but it was a nice change of pace and just in time for Valentines Day and my 41st wedding anniversary 1.3 from me and a converted 2.1 from the pros at allmusic from the album - Get Here Eric Marienthal "Get Here" - YouTube released Jan 31st, 2012 Bio Eric Marienthal shows listeners that he plays crossover jazz as well being a capable and creative improviser. Marienthal attended the Berklee College of Music for two years, and earned a Berklee Distinguished Alumnus Award for outstanding achievements in contemporary music. Following his departure from Berklee, he went on tour for seven months and played live in New Orleans for just under five years as a member of Al Hirt's band. Marienthal moved to Los Angeles in 1980 after his tenure with Hirt, and auditioned for the Disneyland Band. He got the gig, and worked full-time as both a staff member at Disney and a studio and live musician. In 1986, he met Chick Corea, and soon thereafter earned a spot in Corea's Elektric Band. He recorded six albums and made several world tours as a member of that group. He also landed his own recording contract with GRP during this period. His first date as a leader was Voices of the Heart in 1988, which was produced by Corea. Marienthal's next two offerings, 1989's Round Trip and 1990's Crossroads, were co-produced by himself and fellow Elektric Band member John Patitucci. This was a busy period for Marienthal: he became a regular GRP studio musician in addition to his Elektric Band membership, and toured with the GRP All-Star Big Band, Lee Ritenour's and David Benoit's bands, and his own group. He enlisted the help of Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante for 1991's Oasis. The album was his most successful to that point; it placed in the Top Five of the contemporary jazz charts, and two of its tracks placed in the Top Ten of the national contemporary jazz radio charts. Lorber produced two more GRP dates for Marienthal, 1993's One Touch, and 1994's Street Dance. Marienthal left GRP for Ritenour's new Verve-distributed imprint ie: Music. The guitarist produced Easy Street for release in 1997; its title track was a hit at contemporary jazz radio. His next offering as a leader for the label was 1998's Walk Tall, a heartfelt tribute to Cannonball Adderley. Produced by Harvey Mason, the single "Here in My Heart" stayed at number one on the national Contemporary Jazz charts for three weeks, and a cover of Adderley's classic "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" reached number five. Marienthal spent the next five years as a studio and touring musician with various acts, including being the lead alto player in composer Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. He also served as the musical director of an annual fundraising concert for High Hopes, the California non-profit organization those who have suffered traumatic head injuries. In 2002, Marienthal signed with Rippington member Russ Freeman's Peak label. There he recorded four albums: 2003's Sweet Talk, 2005's Got You Covered (leading an all-star band through a collection of cover tunes), 2007's Just Around the Corner, and 2011's Turn Up the Heat; the latter featured Robben Ford and Lorber. In 2012, Marienthal's It's Love was released on eOne Entertainment, on the very same day as Lorber's revamped Jeff Lorber Fusion's Galaxy was released; the saxophonist is a member of that band. Album Review Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a creative improviser and a lover of groove-oriented popular music. It's Love was produced by guitarist Chuck Loeb, who also appears throughout the set. Also in this studio band are Yellowjackets' keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Gary Novak, and bassist Tim Lefebvre. Marienthal's love of pop-soul is displayed on the album's opening number, a cover of Brenda Russell's iconic "Get Here." Introduced by Ferrante's piano and spare percussion and guitar, Marienthal's alto moves right into the melody and sticks close while digging deep into his horn's grain for emotion. When the key change happens, he syncopates the lyric flow and allows the melody to guide him. While this track has been covered by many singers, pulling it off in a contemporary jazz setting isn't easy. The temptation to show off one's chops at the expense of the tune is everywhere; Marienthal's discipline keeps him honest and he lets its original intent flow right through to the listener. He switches gears on a 21st century reading of Irving Mills' "In a Sentimental Mood," which doesn't resemble any instrumental version out there -- Loeb's solo guitar intro evokes Wes Montgomery before Ferrante and Marienthal enter and return what has long been a vehicle for jazz improvisation back into a lyric song. The title track is a haunting ballad co- written by Marienthal and Loeb, while the latter's "Two in One" is a midtempo groover with Marienthal soloing on soprano. "Babycakes" and "St. Moritz" were co-composed by the saxophonist with Lorber. The former evokes the Crusaders circa 1969 and 1970 as Marienthal uses Wilton Felder's soulful phrasing in a gospelized groove while Loeb plays tasty fills à la Larry Carlton. Lorber contributes keyboards and additional guitar, too. On "St. Moritz," Till Brönner's trumpet adds depth, density, and an added lyricism to the breezy Caribbean atmosphere until the midway point, where it gets nocturnal and funky. It's Love is a (mostly) laid-back offering, yet it's solid: beautifully arranged and executed, its silky production and emotive undertones, make it a perfect Valentine's Day soundtrack to boot. Track Listing 1. Get Here 2. In a Sentimental Mood 3. Can't Buy Me Love 4. It's Love 5. Two in One 6. Costa del Soul 7. Babycakes 8. Cafe Royal 9. St. Moritz 10. When I Found You