Nick Colionne - The Journey (2016)

When in 2011, with the release of the highly acclaimed ‘Feel The Heat’, Nick Colionne announced his switch to Trippin N Rhythm I commented that despite the trials and tribulations being encountered at the time by the world of contemporary jazz, the superb Colionne seemed to be marching from strength to strength. Of course Colionne was then, and still remains, one of the most engaging live performers around and without doubt the best dressed man in smooth jazz. Yet Nick’s own trials and tribulations were set to go on a while longer. Dealing with the death of his longtime manager Carol Ray was hard to bear yet with his 2014 project ‘Influences’ and his latest CD ‘The Journey’ (which will be released on Trippin N Rhythm in April of this year) Colionne is proving that life goes on.

Opening with the sensationally easy grooving title cut and coming to a dreamy conclusion ten tracks later with the wonderful ‘Closer,’ what goes on in between is a sublime showcase of the light and shade that is a facet of Colionne’s distinctive musical style.

Take for example ‘Joint Is Poppin’ that with a rock solid steppers beat seems destined to fill dance floors right across Chicago or ‘Buckle Up’ which is a sax-driven, down and dirty, jazz fest of the highest order.

Elsewhere the handsomely mid tempo ‘On The Move’ is entirely what Colionne is routinely all about and although the insanely catchy ‘Morning Call’ is just about as good an example of smooth jazz as will be found anywhere, truth to tell, ‘The Journey’ is a collection absolutely replete with standouts.

Take for example ‘Uncle Nick’ or ‘Say What’s On Your Mind’ that both find Nick in magically reflective mood or the sparkling urban tinged ‘Just Another Slow Jam’ which not only has a title that tells you almost everything you need to know but also is right up there with the best ‘The Journey’ has to offer.

Yet, that said, and weighing in at a succulent seven minutes and eleven seconds, the spine tingling ‘East Evergreen Revisited’ might well make it into my top twenty contemporary jazz tunes of 2016. Nick’s original version can be found on his 1994 debut album ‘It’s My Turn’ and here it sounds every bit as good.

Tracklist:

1. The Journey
2. Buckle Up
3. Say What's On Your Mind
4. Uncle Nick
5. Morning Call
6. Just Another Slow Jam
7. On The Move
8. Joint Is Poppin'
9. East Evergreen Revisted
10. Closer