--=[ Marion Meadows 2 ]=--

Marion Meadows - Next to You [2000]

Next to You is Marion Meadows' seventh recording and second for the Heads Up International label. As the follow-up to his 1999 debut, Another Side of Midnight, this recording fills another aspect of the soprano saxophonist's love for the unique sounds and styles experienced by the vibe of his former hometown, New York City. Meadows' creative spirit moves between contemporary jazz, his soulful R&B spectrums, and the West Coast Latin vibe, grooves, melodies, and blend of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban sounds provided by longtime Pete Escovedo collaborator, guitarist Ray Obiedo. Each song is a passionate portrait centered on his spiritual center, the romantic emotions, and the energy his fans have come to know and love. Meadows opens with "Miami," a balmy, romantic song, flavored with hip-hop grooves and tropical sax melodies. Vocals and guitar from Spyro Gyra's Julio Fernandez sizzle on his solo and underneath Meadows' lyrical, soulful sax melodies and literally bring the perfect weather and laid-back atmosphere of Miami to life. "Next to You" is a sexy ballad, sung to the heart and from the soul of Blake Harris, who along with Meadows' sexy saxophone lines and backing vocals provides a diversity of sensations. The musical family assembled for this excellent CD is comprised of some of the best musicians in contemporary jazz and their collaborations are the perfect compliment for Marion Meadows' sax personality and style.
















Marion Meadows - Body Rhythm [1995]

This work is simply to be experienced. The vibes are passionate and limitless. Marion Meadows is truly one of the masters of the saxophone in the smooth jazz genre. The experience of the moods woven throughout is brilliant.It's not easy to find fault with an artist who begins a rhythm and jazz opus with the all time most charming jazz cover of a Stevie Wonder classic, but Marion Meadows should be taken to task for all too often tempering his seductive soprano sugar and funk with fine and listenable, but ultimately generic vocals. If Body Rhythm featured more purely instrumental statements like the generously improvisational centerpieces "Kool" and the horn boosted "Marion's Theme," Meadows might have a better chance to rise above the ranks of simply good players doing something we've heard before. On these two cuts, he winds around the kind of grooves Paul Taylor seems to enjoy, and finds a voice more distinctive than he's ever reached before. But often he plays second fiddle to those typical, Najee-like grooves... smooth and easy to listen to of course, but not quite dynamic enough to make him a heavyweight among his peers. A hint of trumpet on a later track is a step in the right direction. Ironically, for all the movement implied by the album title, the title track is more of a subtle mood piece than anything that will get you dancing.















Marion Meadows - Forbidden Fruit [1994]

One of Marion's early albums, but not to be missed. "Asha" is one of the most intoxicating songs ever played by anybody on the sax or not. Full of passion and mood, it is an inspiration for the soul. "Forbidden Fruit" is infused with Asian-style tones mixed with sensual feelings. "Nocturnal Serenade" is an artistic high.















Marion Meadows - Keep It Right There [1992]


Marion Meadows ~ Body Rhythm (featuring Enrico Granafei) P1





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