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Reviews This sweet blend of R&B, rock, smooth jazz and other flavorings from California's Erik Jay has a hooky, feel-good quality to it with solid musicianship to add to the enjoyment, from the boogie groove of Vertical to the sultry female-voiced croon of My Last Tear. Sambarmartino kicks in an undercurrent of Latino flourishes to its jazzy feel, and For The Asking has a kind of laid-back folk vibe – like drinking a smooth, luscious wine that has the right kick at the right time. You can visit Music Morsels at www.serge.org/musicmorsels – and we recommend that you do so! In fact, right now is a good time! Read the first Spanish-language review of Erik Jay's music HERE From MUSICIANS REALM Put together exceptional guitar work, sweet, smooth jazz rhythms and lyrics, excellent background musicians set to very tasteful and original tunes and you have a winner. This is what California musician extraordinaire Erik Jay has done for us. In his debut release, Heart & Soul & Mind, Jay has fashioned a creation that is a delight to listen to because of the high level of musical tastefulness, excellent production and professional musicianship. Although the CD is complete with fitting vocals, keyboards and even some first-class bass playing by Erik Jay, he is first and foremost a remarkable jazz guitarist. With sweet, melodic runs, he spices the well-written tunes perfectly. Additionally, his song writing (all words and music by Jay) is right on and he has chosen an excellent supporting cast, including Jack Kelly on drums, Graham Dorsey on bass and sax, and a host of others adding to the professional polish of this fine CD. Every song on this CD is a winner, however, the instrumental numbers – Bendecido, Best Buddies, Straight Up and Monica – were my personal favorites. This is not to say the songs with vocals are not excellent, but as in many smooth jazz works, the instrumentals give the artists a chance to showcase their musical ability and creativity. In the case of Erik Jay he does so extremely well with fresh, tasteful riffs that tell a story of their own. With social conscience, Erik Jay gives political commentary in Fighting From My Knees, a poignant observation on the atrocities of war in Kosovo and the Sudan. Most songs, especially Never Ever and Everything have eloquent messages of love, commitment and hope. Everything has everything: it is very well written, pleasant, great vocals with a beautiful instrumental interlude. Heart & Soul & Mind would be a welcome addition to fans of smooth jazz and excellent guitar work. It can be readily purchased for $10 at http://erikjay.com. From ReallyCool.com Erik Jay has refined his smooth but surprising blend of jazz, pop, Latin, and ballad styles over a lifetime of playing and composing. His debut CD comes after years of supporting roles, and features several of LA's top session players. 100% original, a unique style, intelligent lyrics, unforgettable melodies ... grown-up music for refined tastes ... really, REALLY cool. This review is ... well ... really cool! From SH-Zine Boy I've never heard an actual lounge act stuck in Las Vegas circa 1988 of such astounding qualities that the bass slapping is kept so clean as to not even interfere with widely varying and self-harmonizing guitar/singer Erik Jay's specialties. Some aspects could be labeled a soft rock selection, yet more of a fluffy plastic substance comes to mind, even partially transparent with the smell of some sort of fresh herb. From dearing ballads to even the most provocative melodies that topple a tight bossa nova groove, you'd think this package has it all, and it does. Stu Hood is Editor/Webmaster/Reviewer at SHZine.com. This review is currently circulating online. From DEMO-RAMA You have to be very careful when you spin that radio dial nowadays. That unnamed catchy hook you find yourself humming to yourself hours later may in fact turn out to be (gasp) WORSHIP MUSIC! (Sounds of screaming, moaning, wailing and gnashing of teeth...) All kidding aside, I'm pleased with the way those blessed with musical talent have chosen to use those gifts to give praise right back to the one they got it from. Using music to further the message of your Supreme Being of Choice dates back to the beginning of time, but only recently has non-secular music collectively gotten it's act together to go "mainstream". Erik Jay is one of the many artists helping to make this happen... [T]he hooks are very clean and dynamic, and the tracks from his CD Heart & Soul & Mind showcase talent from several different influences (rock, jazz, R&B, and samba just in particular). I'm especially impressed with the guitar work on a track called Monica, an obvious Santana-inspired tune and a nod to his adult daughter. But the best from Erik seems yet to come, judging from a sample track from his soon-to-be released Vertical CD. The track is called Sambamartino and if it's any indication of the level of talent to be found on the rest of the CD, he's gathered a group that would easily stand up to ANY fusion-jazz group out there today. (thesource) Of course "thesource" is a pen name! Find out whose at www.demorama.com. This review appears in the November 2001 issue of DemoRama, and is still available in its online archives at the above link. From THE MUSICIAN'S HOME PAGE I should probably preface this review by admitting that I am not a fan of smooth jazz. I spent four years working for a company that pumped a local smooth jazz station over the PA system all day long. I suppose the intent was for the music to relax us as we went about our daily work, but it ended up having the opposite effect on me. It probably didn't help that the local station only had a playlist of twenty songs. Well, as you may have guessed, Erik Jay is a musician who writes and plays smooth jazz. Great way to start a review, isn't it? I settled down to what I thought was going to be a very difficult review to write - how do you fairly review a style of music you don't actually like? I found my answer when I spun up Heart & Soul & Mind. Erik is no spring chicken - he was busy refining his skills with Vivian Grant (a pianist who had formerly worked with jazz singer Anita O'Day) when Reagan was in the White House. Currently residing near Los Angeles, which seems a good place to be if you are a solo musician, he has harnessed the talents of quite a few locals to help him bring his album to light (including the likes of Graham Dorsey, Jack Kelly, & Pee Wee Hill). Erik performs all of the guitar, keyboard, and lead vocal work and some of the synth drum and bass (real and MIDI) tracks. The CD I received for review is Erik Jay's debut effort Heart & Soul & Mind. This is a very polished production and the sonic quality is very crisp and defined, which seems to be a defining characteristic of smooth jazz. The artistry on this disc is outstanding and easy to appreciate even if you don't care for the genre itself. Erik has some terrific guitar chops! The songwriting is also solid. Erik attributes much of that to his producer, Richard Zeier, whom he credits with helping to develop a signature sound. The music has threads of various genres running through it including pop and Latin. Some of the arrangements are a bit simplistic, but they are the exception as most of the songs contain interesting chord changes or solo work. Erik's lyrics work well with the music, and often have a Christian theme. My overall impression of Erik Jay's debut effort is one of appreciation. If you dismiss this genre as "elevator music" or dislike Christian-themed music this album probably won't change your mind. However, if you're a fan of smooth jazz with a Christian bent then I'd highly suggest checking it out. Good writing, great musicianship, and a guy who seems to have a genuine love for it all (he's already a hop, skip, & a jump into his sophomore release!). How can you miss? :) Selected Songs: Darling Tiana - Good choice for an opening song. The vocal/music mixes on this album are interesting, and give the songs a unique sound from what I'm used to hearing. The lead vocals almost sound like they've been processed a bit to sound mechanical? Or maybe it's a side effect of working on the Paris? Or maybe I'm hallucinating again - regardless, it's interesting sound. :) Great use of backing vocals. Bendecido - This song reminds me of one of the tunes in the computer game "The Sims". :) This is a classy little instrumental tune with some nice bass and guitar work in it. Straight Up - Great guitar work on this upbeat jazz tune. I was surprised to see that the bass on this track was done by a synth, it's very well done. Falling Into Love - I really liked the chord progression for the chorus – it's a musical hook that makes the song more interesting. The vocals seemed almost a bit too staccato in parts but not so much so that it's distracting. Nice use of organ. Monica - This is a bit like how I'd imagine the Vince Guaraldi Trio sounding if they did a holiday stint playing on a cruise ship in the Bahamas. I give this one the nod as being my favorite song on the disc. Morning - After the great use of backing vocals on track one, it's surprising Erik doesn't make more use of them elsewhere. This song in particular seemed like it would work well with some moderate background vocals to help punctuate Erik's lyrics. I'm Not Superman - I like the use of synth on this track which lends it a unique sound. Nice choice for a closing song. Steven is the editor of The Musician's Homepage, as well as a musician whose current work includes a solo project (hurting alex), a pop trio (Pocket Full of Pennies), and an industrial rock group (Bhatt/Martin). This review appears in the October 2001 issue of The Musicians Home Page at www.themusicianshomepage.com. From RANDIO.COM Jay's first album is a smooth mix of jazz, rock, samba and soul, all with a subtle Christian bent. His "signature sound" is held together by themes of hope and renewal, as well as sophisticated production courtesy of Richard Zeier of Pearly Gates Production in Hollywood. Heart & Soul & Mind will take you back to the breezy soft rock of Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne and other LA-based singer songwriters. Never Ever could be the soundtrack for a cruise down PCH, while Fighting From My Knees is a rocker with excellent guitarwork and strong melodies. Jay, who polished his chops working with Vivian Grant, a pianist formerly with legendary jazz singer Anita O'Day, plays all guitars and keyboards, but he's well-supported by some of LA's finest session men, including Grammy-nominated Graham Dorsey on sax and bass. That explains his range on a tune like Monica, a rocking samba that recalls Pablo Cruise. One of the best cuts is I'm Not Superman (but as Jay says, he "sure would like to play him on TV"). It's a pop-rock ballad with unpredictable chord changes that keep your ears pinned to the lyrics as well as the music. For samples and to order the disc online, go to http://erikjay.com. This review appeared in the September 2001 issue of the online zine, RANDIO, at http://www.randio.com/reviews/petaluma.htm. John Abbott is a freelance writer from Petaluma, CA. I have heard all the music on the cd and it is wonderful. Keep up the song witness ... God uses all of us for His glory. Just a note, "Sudan, that Godless place" [in Fighting From My Knees] – I have carried the cross there. God is there! There are many followers of Jesus in that country. There is no place on earth, no country where God is not. I like the line [in "Fighting From My Knees"] -- "Look to your heart, it starts right here. Love casts out hate and fear." Praying for you. Arthur Blessitt This "review" was cobbled together from the contents of two different letters that this amazing man has written to Erik Jay. The following reviews were posted at Erik Jay's CDStreet.com page (rating scale: 1-10). The Talented Mr. Jay by F.R. Duplantier frd@politickles.com Rating: 10 I first encountered Erik as a writer and editor many years ago when I worked for a national news magazine. His work was so vibrant, intelligent, and provocative – full of heart and mind and soul – that I jumped at a chance to offer him a job on our staff. When he told me that he was an even better musician than he was a writer, I found it hard to credit. Now, with Heart & Soul & Mind, he's proven it. This CD with its artful melodies and thoughtful messages launches what is sure to be a brilliant career. Buy an extra copy and keep it safe somewhere. Then, someday, you'll be able to prove to your children that you were among the first to discover, and appreciate, the extraordinary talent of Erik Jay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I love it!!!!!!!! by Olivia L. olybaba@hotmail.com Rating: 10 Thank you soooooooo much.... I love your style of Smooth Jazz and the lyrics are heavenly........ I enjoyed this CD so much that I e-mailed it to all my friends to share with them..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heart & Soul & Mind by Evann evann@politickles.com Rating: 10 This CD offers something for everyone. Smooth jazz ranging from soulful to spicy, Erik Jay tops off his unique sound with meaningful and wonderfully inspiring lyrics. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heart & Soul & Mind by Michelle Medina-Gussie m.medina-gussie@att.net Rating: 10 Erik Jay has a musical talent that touches the soul and wakens the heart. The rhythm is soothing as it surrounds your essence and gives a spiritual lift - a happy feeling. The title of the CD is apropos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heart & Soul & Mind by Matt mjs1964@yahoo.com Rating: 9 From the time I first came across Erik's work, I have seen his Heart & Soul & Mind all the way. He doesn't hold back. This CD is no exception. There is something here for the whole person. It's a true listening experience, not just another CD off the shelf. Buy it, download it, then enjoy the ride! I like the picture concept for you – urban but hip. Actually I think you'd look great in an "Armani" type suit picture - because the music is so sophisticated. Just a thought. I've listened to the CD several + times and I love the songs. Haven't really listened in depth before. The lyrics are catchy and I can sing most of them (a feat for my mind at this time - believe me). I told Rich I think he should remix the lead vocal on Darling Tiana – mainly because its the first song and it should be tweaked to its highest potential perfection. I A-B'd it against a track by Joan Osborne (granted not the same genre) and found that the music is right on – but the vocal's dynamics were where the difference came. Granted Joan is in a million dollar studio, but we serve the Living God! I also thought Second Chance would really be hot with some background vocals. Rich told me it was not one of your featured songs – but the lyrics really ministered to me - so maybe that's why I felt strongly about that. Overall the CD sounds great! You can tweak it a bit and it will be fine. The songs are very memorable. If you did want to do more, my only real change would be to put more background vocals (on a few of the tunes). Bonita Zeier Interestingly enough, Bonita (Erik Jay's producer's wife and a multimedia artist) "nailed most every critique she made," according to Erik. He claims he did everything recommended in this message. My name is David Rabiroff. I am writing a review of Erik J's music. First let me qualify myself by saying I come from a musical family. I have played guitar since I was 8, I am now 48. I have also played violin, French horn, saxophone, piano, string bass, banjo, and a bit of drums. My oldest son Greg is a lead singer in a heavy metal band called Jada Morning. I have also said that music is my religion, although I do believe in God. Let me also say that I have known Erik J for over 30 years; at one space and time we wrote songs together for a funk, soul, rock & roll band I played in called Blue Mountain. A few of the members of this band went on to record with some talented groups. Hubert Tubbs, one of our singers, did two albums with Tower of Power; Donny Baldwin did many albums drumming and singing for Jefferson Starship; Mike Curotto is a professional drum teacher and hasrecorded with many different artists. As for Erik's music...I'm Not Superman, but I wish I wrote it. This tune on Erik's Heart & Soul & Mind CD is funky with a sense of humor, just my style. Erik does a good job on the vocals, and in this form I've heard AM radio hits with similar musical vibes that were created by Earth Wind & Fire, or Michael Franks, or other artists. I really like the bite on the lead guitar Erik plays on this tune.Vertical is a great smooth jazz tune that will be on the 2nd CD. Funky, snappy, danceable, up, and makes you feel good. I play the lead guitar solo on this one and sing the hook with Erik. Reminds me of George Benson and others, with original melody. Drummer Jack Kelly lays down a funky heartebeat on this tune.My Last Tear is a beautiful song. I tried singing along with this one for about 2 months with no success, it struck so many emotions in me I couldn't get it out. Crystal Cruz does a great job on the vocal. Definite AM hit in my book. (This song is at Crystal's site; http://www.mp3.com/crystalcruz.) Never Ever, from the Heart & Soul & Mind CD, is a Top Ten radio hit, a very sincere love song. Everything, also on Heart & Soul & Mind, is another very nice & funky song. Erik plays everything on this tune and it all comes together with a uplifting message and tight funky arrangement. Let me close my review by saying, I don't think we've heard the best from Erik J yet. I know him, and he is a shaker and a mover, and he is growing and creating incredible music that I think will only get better and better. The man is talented and I'm glad he is getting his musical ideas down in the studio for us all to hear. Erik Jay comments: "Dave taught me my first serious guitar playing, and I wrote lyrics for songs that he wrote, songs I could hardly play at first – but I learned eventually. We wrote SIMPLE BEAT in about 1974, I think. We recorded it in the studio toward the end of the HEART & SOUL & MIND project, but it didn't make the final playlist – and neither did three of my own songs that were completed and mastered during the same period. But what a jump-start on the 'sophomore' release, eh?" |