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Click here to see how Paula is helping kids learn about jazz!
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Review from Artist :: Paula Atherton & Interplay |
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Paula Atherton was one of the 12 Finalists in our recent 'Search For A New Jazz Star' sponsored by Sony Jazz and this album is currently riding high in the US Top 100 Albums Chart. Little wonder as it is a cool blend of self-penned smooth, Latin and contemporary jazz and has been expertly crafted by the musician who started playing flute at the age of nine and moved on to saxophone, keyboards and vocals in later life. She also had the distinction of performing at the White House for the inauguration ceremony of the then president and jazz fan Bill Clinton. 'Let Me Inside Your Love' is a celebration of more than two years work, writing it and recording it piecemeal inbetween fulfilling TV appearances, touring at both home and abroad with her band Interplay and continuing her study of music under the tutelage of some of the city's great teachers including Bob Mintzer, Lee Konitz and Sal Mosca. The album is full of variety and stretches Paula's talents to the full on soprano sax, alto sax, flute and vocals. The opening 'I Long For Your Love' is straight out of the modern day 'Smooth Jazz' idiom with a mid tempo swayer in the David Sanborn or Tom Scott vein with distinctive riffs and an excellent choice of octaves. Lou Gimenez provides an intriguing guitar accompaniment on this stunnig opener which is ideal for radio play. Another one of our 12 Finalists in the 'Search For A New Jazz Star', Steve Briody joins Paula on 'The Long Road Home' where Paula changes to soprano sax. It is a smooth ballad with a fretless bass solo from the Jaco Pastorius school of bass by Roy de Jesus. This is a free flowing arrangement which showcases her abundant talent to the full. 'One Last Goodbye' and 'Samba Azul' are Latin tracks, the former a dramatic vocal outing with a moving flamenco guitar played once again by Gimenez and the latter track an up tempo excursion with clever harmonised flute interludes which are perfect for a CD. There are two versions of the title track 'Let Me Inside Your Love', one vocal and one instrumental, the instrumental is straight out of the David Sanborn 'top drawer' and when I played this track for some knowledgeable smooth jazz colleagues, they were sure it was Sanborn. ( High praise indeed for the much in demand lady who has performed with many top international stars including George Benson.) An excellent urban groove which provides testimony to the overall quailty of this album. Other notable tracks on the set are 'Fireflies' with some close sax harmonies and a free flowing jam which is essential listening. 'Silk Pajamas' has an 'urban' feel to it and a catchy tape loop which is saturated with emotive playing by the lady from the Big Apple. A wonderful album for he modern smooth jazz movement and no wonder it is receiving so much airplay and attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Comes highly recommended. Click here to order a copy of Let Me Inside Your Love
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Review from Contemporary Jazz Paula Atherton & Interplay
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Paula Atherton is a singer, saxophonist, flutist and composer from the New York area. She was the bandleader/sax player on the Lifetime network comedy show “Girls Night Out.” She has performed in Portugal, Monte Carlo and extensively in Japan as well as around the US. She has also played for President Clinton’s inauguration. That said her debut CD with her band Interplay is a winner. The band features another up and comer guitarist Steve Briody. Let Me Inside Your Love is a combination of pop R&B tunes featuring Atherton singing and playing some dynamite licks behind it (“Let Me Inside Your Love,” “If I Hold You In My Arms“) as well as some good contemporary jazz that frankly rivals anything that you might hear from the big boys and girls in the Smooth Jazz genre. Tracks like “I Long For Your Love,” “Fireflies” (my favorite), “Sik Pajamas” and "Raining" could and should be heard on any Smooth Jazz radio station. All sax oriented. “Samba Azul” is a Brazilian flavored song that has Atherton donning the flute. She plays it flawlessly. The band is tight as well. It seems that half the record is Jazz and the other half is Pop/R&B which could be either a good or bad thing depending on how one looks at it and what the consumer is interested in. Personally I’m interested in playing the sax oriented songs on my radio shows because I enjoyed them and think that they are good. Click here to order a copy of Let Me Inside Your Love
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EuroClub de Jazz Showcase Artist
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| REVIEWED + RECOMMENDED ON SMOOTHJAZZ.COM | ||||||||||||
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PAULA ATHERTON |
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We were captured at the very onset of this CD. Paula Atherton's tone is intoxicating... I guess that's not really surprising, given the fact that she started playing the saxophone in her teens. Long after she was well along her career path, singing and studying flute, her first instrument choice. Paula began at the tender age of nine! In addition, she delved into pursuing the saxophone by learning from teachers who could really teach her some things. Like Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets, Jaco Pastorius). Born and raised in New York, Ms. Atherton's East Coast jazz is Smooth Jazz with a Tabasco kick. All songs on this debut project are originals and feature her band Interplay, including guitarist Steve Briody. Contemporary and bold sax work, mesmerizing flute pieces and several well-crafted vocal tunes make LET ME INSIDE YOUR LOVE a great addition to your jazz collection. Smoothjazz.com is digging on "Fireflies", "Silk Pajamas" and the jammin' samba "Azul". The format is fortunate to have discovered this talented musician. We're expecting good things from Paula Atherton. ~Sandy Shore
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