Search - FRED WALKER :: TEN PLUS

Fred Walker has become somewhat of a one-man army. With the success of his first effort Blues In A Red Dress, Fred stays on the front line with his second CD, Ten Plus. Fred has the impressive ability to blend traditional and contemporary jazz styles simultaneously attracting a youthful following without alienating older jazz aficionados who yearn for the sounds of John Coltrane, Gene Amons or a Grover Washington. The thing that sets Fred apart from the some other jazz artists is his ability to put his own stamp on every song on this CD. As long as Fred does what hes been doing, his music will never get old. Any Fred excursion is worth listening to and Ten Plus is his finer outing. The opener Dark Crystal takes us on a mid tempo groove which leaves no doubt that hes an interesting talent. Ten Plus the title track has a beautiful Caribbean sound for summer. This gem sneaks out of the speakers as if another Pinacolada or Marguerita has just been ordered. On Motherland Groove, the sound that we are so familiar with is represented beautifully. This is a wonderful midnight cruiser that is one of the albums many highlights. Fred pulls one out of his hat for the old school rappers. If you remember Salt and Peppers Shoop, Me and E. McGhee, makes me want to. you know. Then he breaks it all the way down. There are so many wonderful tracks on this CD that it is an essential addition to your own collection if you dont have it already. Adult Contemporary Jazz or as Fred calls it POP JAZZ, at its very finest and comes highly recommended. KIM WALKER