Michael Manson - Up Front
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Free Music Notes for Up Front
Free Music Review: good but could be better
Hit: 4 Stars
The original tracks, which number five, are good. However, this cd could have been better if there had been more new tracks on the cd. Instead, the producers went back to the earlier cds to fill out this new cd. Michael is a great jazz talent and can produce a cd better than this one by adding new and original tracks. The five new tracks on "Up Front" make the cd worth the price. Next time, give all of Michael's fans an entire new cd.Free Music Review: good job
Hit: 4 Stars
I like the album nice work,but i'd prefer more new songs instad of songs from the previous album.Free Music Review: Manson Delivers On "Up Front"
Hit: 5 Stars
Put aside the fabulous production, the "who's who" of contemporary jazz musicians providing back-up and the abundance of in-the-pocket grooves. What makes "Up Front" the great CD it is, is the playing and sound of Michael Manson. It's the sound of his lead bass that makes this CD.It's the warmest, most inviting lead bass sound there is. It's warm, full, round and melds itself into the compositions and opposed to the twangy, edgy lead sound used by other contemporary jazz bassists on the C Jazz scene today. Because of the warmth of his sound, Manson is able to blend it very artistically with other instruments such as Darren Rahn's tenor sax on "Bring It On," and "Steppin' Out." In addition, Manson's playing is superb...the man has great chops!! Out of the eleven tracks on the CD, Manson's rendition of the Babyface hit, "End Of The Road" is my personal favorite. It features soulful saxophone playing from fellow Chicago native Steve Cole an outstanding vocal arrangement and a Sunday-going-to-church gospel groove that just doesn't stop.
One should definitely check out Michael's CD. Buy it and put it "Up Front" of the stack of CD's you listen to on a regular basis. You'll be glad you did.
Free Music Review: ...contemporary jazz sizzles...
Hit: 5 Stars
"Every time I listen to Michael Manson's latest album Up Front, I keep hearing actress Ingrid Bergman's character "Ilsa Lund" from the motion picture Casablanca say to the piano player in the Arabian nightclub, "Play it again Sam." The sweet nectar of Manson's tunes is in his gelatin bass grooves. He secures the aid of a few of his friends to plump up his melodies like keyboardist/saxophonist Darren Rahn who not only plays on some of the tracks, but he also produces the tune "Bring It On" with Manson. Other key musicians on Manson's album include piano player Jeff Lorber ("Coming Right At Ya" and "Way Back When"), saxophonist Kirk Whalum ("Coming Right At Ya"), saxophonist Tom Braxton ("She's Always Been There" and "It's The Way She Moves"), guitarist Nick Colionne (solo on "Outer Drive (Chicago Style)"), guitarist Norman Brown ("Still Thinking About You"), and trumpet player Rick Braun ("Way Back When"). All tracks are produced by Michael Manson and they shine with smooth melodic lesions and contemporary jazz sizzles galore." - Susan Frances, Jazz ReviewFree Music Review: SmoothJazz.com Review
Hit: 5 Stars
In her review of bassist Michael Manson's previous release, JUST FEELIN' IT, [...] Beth Lewis called it "categorically an absolute joy that will undoubtedly be shared many times over." If I may, I'd like to apply that same statement to Manson's latest release UP FRONT for two very good reasons. First, this album, like his first two, is an over the top smash, with format superstars (Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Steve Cole, and Rick Braun among others) and radio-friendly tracks in abundance, including the current hit, "Coming Right at Ya." Then there's the fact that The JUST FEELIN' IT album, on a previous label, is not as readily available so Michael's included five of the very best tracks, remastered, on UP FRONT, he says "as a thank you to the many fans who couldn't buy that CD." He's also included a remixed and updated "Chicago style" version of his first hit "Outer Drive," as well as two killer covers (the Boyz II Men hit "End of the Road" and Bill Withers' "Lovely Day") and a beautiful dedication to his wife of 20 years, "She's Always There (For Lana)," which is one of my favorite tracks on the album. There's a lot to love about UP FRONT, and Michael Manson's masterful 5-string bass work only scratches the surface. It's this kind of music that'll keep Michael UP FRONT in the Smooth Jazz format for years and years to come! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN
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