Michael J Thomas - City Beat (2010/2019)

Raised in Cecilia, Kentucky and now domiciled in Destin, Florida, sax player Michael J Thomas may yet turn out to be the smooth jazz find of 2010. His debut CD, City Beat , which hits the streets on March 2, is a tremendously accomplished piece of work and, given that Thomas writes or co-writes all but one of ten choice tracks, proves also to be a wonderful showcase for his art. Thomas s writing partner is guitarist Shannon Wallace who co- produces and performs with him throughout. Together, with a tight group of backing musicians, they deliver a tremendously commercial collection that has every prospect of doing very well. <P> The album opens with the sophisticatedly cool Midtown Manhattan .
With an enticing mid tempo groove it is an early indication of the accessibility that Thomas routinely builds into his music and more of the delicious same comes in the form of Cali Trippin which has a brassy, easy paced swagger and features moody trumpet from Paul Scurto. In fact whether the pace be relaxed or intense the smooth jazz essentials of rhythm and melody are never too far away. This is demonstrated by the urban tinged Mind Your Step which balances Thomas s cool playing with an underlying horn infused urgency and when he cranks up the tempo even further for the feel good title cut the result has radio ready written all over it. Wedding Song shows off a more sensitive side to Thomas s musical persona and in similar vein is the contemplative Back Home that benefits from the enchanting synthesised strings of Diki Ross and excellent soprano sax from Thomas. Elsewhere Jonathan Davies on drums and Eric Lampley on bass lay a funky foundation for Thomas s restrained yet compelling rendition of 30-A Degrees while in terms of personal favourites there is much to commend the Michael J Thomas - Shannon Wallace arrangement of Michael Jackson s seminal Billie Jean . Starting out slowly and quickly hitting a familiar beat this could well be one of the best covers of the year whilst just as good is the original composition Amante Del Vino . This easy paced gem checks every contemporary jazz box imaginable but just shading it as Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the tranquil Pretty Skin . With Ross sublime on keys and Thomas at his delightfully melodic best this is one that will play and play. –Smooth Jazz Therapy-Denis Poole

Interesting scenario. A man takes pen in hand, writes 9 of the 10 tracks to feature on his debut release (due in stores on March 2), adds one hot cover by the one and only gloved one, Michael Jackson (just for extra flava, I suppose), and boldly steps out into the groove-laden world of smooth jazz and instantly begins making his mark. Hmm… Now, that could work. In fact, in the case of Michael J Thomas, it does. Saxman Thomas delivers on City Beat the kind of self-confidence and stand-up solid material that has ushered in so many of our smooth jazz greats today. Despite being born and raised in a part of the country that proudly struts its country music like a badge (i.e., Kentucky), Thomas was fed a steady diet of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Prince by his super-hip parents. Talk about going against the grain! Thomas obviously knows home when he sees it, as he s honed right in on smooth jazz like an old neighbor. With equal amounts of sway (the opening track, "Midtown Manhattan," and the title track) and respect for the genre (the soothing allure of the more mellow tracks), the artist thoroughly enjoys his seduction of this music. Stepping to pieces like his warm, hook-sweet tune called "Wedding Song (Forever and Always)" and demonstrating why it should be the song in demand at all weddings, he then takes you on a bright, high-steppin walk with 30-A Degrees. By the way, lovebirds, I have to single out "Wedding Song" only because, yes, you play this one whenever you need to remember why you married him or her in the first place, and you ll fall in love all over again. Remember how you felt when you first heard Billie Jean by MJ? Well, this is not MJ, and I make no assertions whatsoever that it is, but this young man gets his own groove off the ground with his own movin and shakin version here. Not a snoozer by any stretch. A big fan of catchy hooks, I couldn t help noticing the beauty of the mid-tempo Pretty Skin and the slick and funky Mind Your Step, with its own hot hook. In fact, the hooks throughout are full, catchy, and attractive. Appropriately so, the album ends on a stout dose of funk and a grabbing hook to take it all home. I strongly know that Thomas parents are beaming with pride at the man they had hoped would benefit from that diet of R&B and pop. They have every reason to do so. He has already shown that he s a natural at this and only needed to be taken lightly by the shoulder and turned in our direction. Thanks, Mom and Dad Thomas! –The Smooth Jazz Ride-Ronald Jackson

Those, who lead us to believe that smooth jazz is something for the older generation, fail to notice the large crowd of young musicians, which are keen to entertain the audience. Out of this overwhelming legion of new musicians I pick today Michael J Thomas. Once a member of the Jive Rockets, he joined the smooth jazz genre after moving to Destin, Florida in 1999. City Beat, Michael's debut album, is scheduled for release March 2nd on Harbor Breeze Records. Produced by Shannon Wallace and Michael J Thomas the new album deserves a comprehensive reflection. Michael is supported by Jonathan Davis (drums & percussion), Eric Lampley (bass), Diki Ross (keyboards), Shannon Wallace (guitar), and Paul Scurto (trumpet). The journey starts in Midtown Manhattan not in a bombastic way but with a superb elegance, which is a good sign for Michael's sincerity as a professional musician. Michael don't just play the melody but tries to interprets the interrelation of the complete theme. Sure, as a young musician Michael follows his idols like Dave Koz, Richard Elliot or Boney James, but City Beat shows it up, Michael does it with accurateness. Have we anything to offer our guests? The romantic Wedding Song (Forever Always) for countless matrimonies. I have to admit, Shannon Wallace can play his guitar! The propelling 30-A Degrees with drummer Jonathan Davis in a good mood cannot go wrong. With respect to the original Michael and Shannon approach Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. At last the details of the original fade away a little bit. Pretty Skin presents a further dose of Michael Thomas' huge depot of romantic remedies. Michael even offers unusual instrumentation like turntable scratching on Mind Your Step. Not always a necessary element. Please use it with care. Amante Del Vino is a stronger tune with tension, good arrangement and performance. Really appealing. Michael has a formidable affinity to romance like on the heartfelt ballade Back Home. Personally I prefer his energetic side on the propelling Cali Trippin'. Outstanding Paul Scurto on trumpet, he leveled the tune to a great final. City Beat reveals Michael J Thomas' big talent as composer and sax player. We will certainly hear more of this blessed artist. –Smooth Jazz Daily

Tracklist:

01. Midtown Manhattan
02. City Beat
03. Wedding Song (Forever Always)
04. 30-a Degrees
05. Billie Jean
06. Pretty Skin
07. Mind Your Step
08. Amante Del Vino
09. Back Home
10. Cali Trippin'