Kere Buchanan takes West Coast Sound & Owns It

-


There's nothing more exciting than listening to an album that's been done right.

The album I'm talking about is "Goodbye Yesterday" by Kere Buchanan

Kere is from Sydney, Australia. He and his friends have done their homework. . . studied the West Coast Sound, including just stepping out, asking if some legends might lend their vocals and skills and created a fine project that I am positive will be considered a classic by all who love Smooth Jazz.

This is probably one of the best albums I've heard in a very long time in this genre. Kere has taken everything that he has learned from everyone that he has admired musically and put them together to create one fantastic LP. He's also made this an album that if it were on vinyl, you'd put on your turntable, play "side one" from it's beginning, then turn over to "side two" and play the rest to it's end and maybe start it over because it's that good. I definitely feel like I've been transported back to the early 1980's and believe me. . . I was there! HA. Those were my L.A. days!

There is just enough that I can hear many of my personal favorite influences on this album from Bobby Caldwell to George Benson to Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle to Toto to Earth, Wind & Fire to Bryan Duncan to Steely Dan to Chicago, David Sanborn, Jerry Hey, Lenny Castro, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton and Al Jarreau. Let me also add Quincy Jones, David Foster, Michael Omartian, Michael Ruff. I could just go on and on!
But the bottom is. . . THIS IS KERE BUCHANAN!

Let me tell you, the weather right now is chilly and rainy where I live, but I don't care, I want to put the top down on my car and go cruising while listening to "Goodbye Yesterday."
This is an amazing album, folks! This is cruising music to the max! Don't take my word for it, while you're reading my review of Kere's album, preview it here at CD Baby

There might be a chance that you'll detect a familiar voice on one of the tracks. And yes, you're right. You are hearing songwriter/artist Bill Champlin of Chicago doing not only the lead vocal on "Never Gonna Give You Up" but along with Kere, doing back up vocals as well. Other notable musicians are Louie Shelton & Robbie Buchanan and Marc Jordan who supplied the beautiful front and back CD cover. As far as the others, I'm afraid that I don't really know too much about the vocalists or musicians. All I can say is that they are exceptional in their skill. The musicians play like the "musician's musician" they have more than likely been influenced by.

Let me break it down to you as to who are the personnel are:
Lead vocals: Gary Pinto, Michelle Martinez, Glenn Bidmead, Karen O’Shea, Geoff Robertson, Barry Leef and Kere Buchanan.
Background vocals: Natasha Stuart, Michelle Martine, Geoff Robertson, Kere Buchanan
Fender Rhodes: Bill Risby, Robbie Buchanan, Kere Buchanan
Acoustic Piano: Bill Risby, Brendan St. Ledger, Kere Buchanan
Hammond: Brendan St. Ledger
Melodica: Bill Risby
Synths: Bill Risby, Kere Buchanan
Electric Guitar: Chris Kamzelas, Mark Punch, Jim Kelly, Louie Shelton
Electric Bass: Leon Gaer
Trumpets: Stewart Kirwan, Angus Gomm
Flugel Horns: Stewart Kirwan, Angus Gomm
Trombone: James Greening
Tenor Saxophone: Andy Bickers
Clavinet: Kere Buchanan
Flute: Mark Taylor.
Ewi Solo: Aaron Michael
Percussion: Tony Azzopardi
Drums: Kere Buchanan

The Track List is as follows:

I want to make mention of the last track; "Hard Goodbyes." Kere does an amazing job of singing this. His vocals are so authentic in expressing his feelings. And his tone is very reminiscent of the late Kenny Rankin. This is one of my favorite tracks. My daughter listened with me and she, too felt that Kere did a great job. By the way. . . this is a hard song NOT to tear up to.


For more about Kere Buchanan. . . who he is, what he's all about and this project, check out his recent interview with my friends at Inside MusiCast here.


I'll say it again, I don't think I've been this excited about music like this in a long time! For my friends who been telling me they want some good music along the lines of Toto, Chicago, EW&F, etc, . . . you HAVE to check Kere Buchanan. This guy is off the hook!

This is smooth jazz at it's finest!

Order info:
Email Kere directly HERE
FACEBOOK
CD BABY
BANDCAMP
iTUNES

Social:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Son of Famed Drummer of Toto Passes Away

-
Image
Miles Porcaro, the son of the late famed drummer; Jeff Porcaro of the band Toto, has passed away at the age of 31. Sharing these photos, Miles' mother, Susan Porcaro Goings took to Facebook this evening to post a beautiful public tribute to her son saying, "My heart is broken. I am devastated. My Miles is gone. He's now in heaven with his Daddy." No explanation was posted as to the cause of his death. Soon after the post, family and friends began to pour in, sharing their grief and condolences to Susan and her family. Unfortunately, the Porcaro family has had their share of grief with the loss of Miles' father, Jeff Porcaro, who passed away at the age of 38 from a heart attack in 1992. Jeff was not only a respected studio musician within the recording industry, but was a founding member of the 1980's rock band Toto, which continues to write, record and tour. Another sad loss within the Porcaro family was Jeff's younger brother and Mile
Read more

George Harrison - Looking back on 33 1/3 with his friend; Alvin Taylor

-
Image
           Famed Drummer Shares Memories of Working with George Harrison It's been nearly 2 decades since the younger Beatles passed away. For myself, I’ve been a fan of The Beatles since I was 3 years old and that was a long time ago! I’ve also been a fan of them as individual artists. When John Lennon was tragically killed in 1980, I was devastated. Then to find out that George Harrison would later pass away from Cancer on this day; in 2001, cut me deep. Of course I never had the privilege of meeting any of these wonderful men, but I know someone who has. My friend; famed drummer, Alvin Taylor.  Inside cover of 33 1/3 Alvin's skills as a drummer can be heard on one of my personal favorite LP’s. George Harrison's 1976 release of   33 1/ॐ   which included, Billy Preston, David Foster, Emil Richards, Gary Wright, Richard Tee, Tom Scott and Willie Weeks.  The feedback on  33 1/ॐ was incredible with reviews better than George's "All Things Must Pass" in 1970 with
Read more

"Por La Carretera" de
La Comparsa Universitaria De 'La Laguna'

-
Image
Hearing this for the first time recently, brought me back to 1972, 11 years old with a passion for music. I'd never forgotten the basic premise of the tune, but could never convey how it truly went, only knowing that I had to have it. . . begging my mom to let me look and my sister to search for it whenever she would visit them. My dream came true and now I'll never forget! The quality is horrible!! It's been played and overplayed. But isn't that what my blog is all about? iSalud!
Read more