In the '90s, smooth jazz/NAC took a lot of beatings from the jazz media -- and many of them were totally justified. A lot of the schlock that NAC stations played in the '90s was every bit as boring, unimaginative, and creatively bankrupt as critics said that it was. But not all pop-jazz is bad. Whether jazz purists and bop snobs care to admit or not, there is a world of difference between Kenny G.'s commercialism and David Sanborn's commercialism. So it's best to judge smooth jazz and pop-jazz on a case-by-case basis. ...
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In the '90s, smooth jazz/NAC took a lot of beatings from the jazz media -- and many of them were totally justified. A lot of the schlock that NAC stations played in the '90s was every bit as boring, unimaginative, and creatively bankrupt as critics said that it was. But not all pop-jazz is bad. Whether jazz purists and bop snobs care to admit or not, there is a world of difference between Kenny G.'s commercialism and David Sanborn's commercialism. So it's best to judge smooth jazz and pop-jazz on a case-by-case basis. Recorded in 1992, Mediterranean Affair demonstrates that commercial pop-jazz doesn't have to be brain-dead elevator music. Although not a masterpiece, Mediterranean Affair is a generally competent (if slightly uneven) effort that draws on influences like Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn, and pre-'90s Yellowjackets. The material is melodic, groove-oriented, and quite accessible, but it still has more integrity than a lot of the fluff that NAC stations were playing at the time -- which isn't saying much when you consider just how embarrassingly low NAC radio's standards had become. This CD finds the 1992 edition of Pocket Change (whose soloists include saxman Everette Harp and guitarist David Patt) combining pop-jazz with various Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Latin influences. "Rio Cantina," for example, has a strong Spanish flavor, while "Caribbean Holiday" is mindful of both reggae and calypso. Some of the tracks are more memorable than others; parts of Mediterranean Affair are too formulaic and contrived for their own good. But even the least-memorable tracks are more substantial than the recordings that NAC favorites like Kenny G., Najee, and Richard Elliott were coming out with in the early '90s. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Mediterranean Affair to cart. $7.90, very good condition, Sold by Streetlight_Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Cruz, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by BRAIN CHILD RECORDS.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 5x4x0; This item is in very good condition with all original artwork and materials. The disc may have light superficial marks that do not affect play.
Add this copy of Mediterranean Affair to cart. $31.39, good condition, Sold by Book Mob rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Clarita, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by BRAIN CHILD RECORDS.
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Seller's Description:
Book in good condition. Size: 5x4x0; The CD is in very good condition, free from scratches or marks, and plays perfectly without any issues. However, the case is cracked on one side, which affects its structural integrity. The crack may cause the case to not close securely, but it does not impact the disc itself.
