Songs For Lovers

Carol Duboc’s new release Songs For Lovers is just what it promises – a smooth collection of romantic tunes for couples. Ms. Duboc, while not a household name, has been around for a long time and has written songs for others musicians, including R&B artists Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills and Chanté Moore. On Songs For Lovers, her third album, Duboc wrote all the new material, and produced the album with her musical arranger Tom Carmon.

Ms. Duboc’s style is a mix of jazz and R&B, and her lyrics and songs are uplifting. The album is perfect mood music for a romantic evening, or just for relaxation. My Valentine, the first single is a nice opener. Other songs that standout on Songs For Lovers are Brownies and Wine, Around You, and Night Moods. The latter is my favorite song from this album, reminding me of Sade’s Smooth Operator days.

Two highlights on this album are instrumentals, with Duboc on the piano. Passion and A Longing are the shortest songs on the album, and serve almost as interludes to the other more upbeat songs.

Duboc does a great job covering two R&B classics, Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing and Roberta Flack’s Feel Like Making Love. She adds her special touch to these songs. Sexual Healing is a bit slower than Marvin’s and sung in a way that it could initially pass for another song. Duboc takes the sexy lyrics slowly, giving them the chance to be savored. Duboc’s version of Feel Like Making Love is more upbeat than the original, with a tinge of funk. While a fan of the original, this listener favors Duboc’s version a little more.

Songs For Lovers is a great collection for easy listening and for when you’ve got romance on your mind and want to set the perfect mood.

Carol is singing “Sunny” on the jukebox to the right.

Watch an interview with Duboc on Smooth Jazz TV here.

Visit her MySpace page and listen to songs from the new album and some of her previous work: http://www.myspace.com/carolduboc

December Jazz

Chris Botti’s 2002 holiday set, December, is comforting; a much needed and welcomed feeling during this last month, and often the most stressful time, of the year. It’s clear the holidays aren’t always the most joyful time for all, so comfort and joy are the gifts Botti offers with this collection. Yes, there’s a feeling of melancholy at times, but that’s fine, because that’s what true jazz does sometimes.

Botti’s trumpet always sets an intimate and soothing ambiance, and that is exactly what we get here. Most of the songs are instrumental, and not drenched with jingly bells. Botti takes on vocal duties on two songs: Perfect Day and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Winter Wonderland gets a swinging rendition and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town gets a Brazilian beat. O Little Town of Bethlehem has romantic piano accompaniment. And it’s quite a surprise to hear a Leonard Cohen tune on a Christmas album, but Hallelujah appears here. I’ll Be Home For Christmas closes December, and it’s smooth, uplifting, and a perfect ending to a great CD.

This lovely collection will appeal to fans of jazz, easy-listening and fusion. Chris Botti delivers comfort and joy with ease and style.

I will be seeing Chris Botti perform at the legendary Blue Note in New York City tomorrow evening and I can hardly contain my excitement.

For more on Chris Botti, mainly his latest release, Italia, see my October 28th post: Viva Italia!* This CD was reissued in 2006 with Ave Maria replacing Perfect Day.

Check out these live performances:

Lover Man with Gladys Knight

A Song For You with Michael Bublé

The Look of Love with Paula Cole and Burt Bacharach