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Music CD - Mindi Abair: Stars
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Music CD: Stars
Artist: Mindi Abair
List Price: $18.98
Our Price: $9.00
Your Save: $ 9.98 ( 53% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Peak Records
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Tracks:
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1. Smile
2. On and On
3. Out of the Blue
4. Stars
5. F.L.A. Swing
6. I Wonder
7. Gingerbread Man
8. Change
9. Mojo
10. Here For You
11. Gonna Be Alright
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0888072306370
Label: Peak Records
Manufacturer: Peak Records
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Peak Records
Release Date: 2008-05-06
Studio: Peak Records
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Typical Mindi
Comment: This album has nice songs that are easy to listen to and Mindi's unique voice along with her unique sax style. There is nothing wrong with this album except that if you listen to her first three albums, you have essentially heard this one. By her fourth album, I would expect something different, maybe a little change in direction, trying something new but that didnt happen here. They say dont mess with success but in music if you stay in the same groove it wears out and after owning her first three albums her groove wore out on me in number four.
If this is your first Mindi experience, you will enjoy it. If its your fourth, you may find it a bit worn. She is a talented lady who knows how to promote herself and her music but this year I am going to pass on her live show because I dont think I'll hear anything different from last year. While seemingly being the female Dave Koz as far as promotion, she may want to talk to Dave about keeping the music fresh-he is a master at that.
Customer Rating:
Summary: She Can Do Better
Comment: I would have to agree with S. Banks' review. There are a few pleasing songs on the CD that stay true to smooth jazz. Obviously, her first single release "Smile"--the song that made me excited about this CD coming out in the first place--fits the bill, as do other tracks such as "F.L.A. Swing," "Gonna Be Alright" and "Gingerbread Man." However, Mindi has simply taken the singing too far, and I was disappointed. Every other song on the CD, literally (essentially every even-numbered song), features her vocals and doesn't really sound like a smooth jazz song. This is Mindi's biggest departure from her CD "It Just Happens That Way," which I, unfortunately, still believe was her best CD, no contest. I truly found myself wondering while listening to this CD if Mindi is hoping to eventually cross over into maybe mainstream adult contemporary (where artists like Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, etc, who used to be huge in pop now live) rather than continue to do smooth jazz, because this just made me think this is a blatant attempt by her to get noticed vocally and/or outside of jazz.
I like basically all genres of music, but smooth jazz based on good sax, piano or guitar with a nice little mainstream flavor (cool beat, strong melody) added in and no vocals is almost entirely the only recent music I listen to and look forward to when released. Yet, speaking as someone who likes various genres, the majority of her non-smooth jazz songs are not good enough for Mindi to seriously want to stray into other genres (they are okay upon a second or third listen, but just kind of like a cold bucket of water dumped on your head if you got this CD thinking you were about to hear 11 smooth jazz songs), and her vocals are not strong enough for that, either. Maybe the CD would have been more tolerable otherwise to someone who does appreciate pop and adult contemporary.
Still, I think doing anything other than smooth jazz is a waste for Mindi, as it's painfully obvious that's where her talent is at a maximum. That's why this CD is only halfway good, and it's a shame because she could have put out a CD that was incredible if she had just stuck with the genre, maybe doing vocals and/or a more mainstream sound in a couple songs only. Those who are not as bothered by vocals and a sound that's not really smooth jazz, love Mindi almost unconditionally and/or really liked her last CD (which I didn't) will probably enjoy this CD, regardless.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Smooth instrumental grooves with great vocals.
Comment: Sultry Smooth Jazz from this beautiful lady saxophonist, the gentle summery grooves ooze class.
The set combines quality mid-tempo instrumentals with outstanding vocal cuts.
Tracks like the sleek "Smile" and mid-tempo "Stars" will make you want more from this very talented arist, who has integrated more vocals on this album in order to widen her musical horizon and to reach into a wider audience.
On her forth albums and her debut solo for Peak Records label (Concord), Mindi has choosen catchy melodies and contemporary grooves, well produced and well played, definitely worthy of your time.
"Stars" is a pop/jazz recording with spirited soloing and a good selection of material.
Recommended!
Healing Space
The Look of Love
Tequila Moon
Candy Store
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Album Yet
Comment: This is by far Mindi's best album to date. I've been a fan of Mindi since she first went solo and every album has reached another level that I didn't think could be attained. Every track is amazing. The lyrics are great in the songs that she sings. It also sounds like that she has worked on her voice since the "Life Less Ordinary" album. This is a must buy if you are a Mindi fan or just making your way into the smooth jazz genre.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Less singing, more Sax please Mindi
Comment: On some of MIndi's first albums, there was a lot of Jazz and especially some great smooth Sax. Occasionally she would add in some vocals to the mix and that was nice. On this CD, there are several songs totally missing her great Sax playing or with very very little of it. At times this is just a pop music CD with an average female vocalist with some sax in the background. Maybe others like it, I don't. Those few songs here that are completely jazz / sax infused are very enjoyable.
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Editorial Reviews:
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"Stars. The new album from Mindi Abair. A unique mix of pop, soul, jazz and vocals......leading a whole new movement in contemporary music." "Stars" puts her in a stand-alone category when compared to her contemporaries...and is not to be missed! The album represents a musical shift for Mindi; in addition to her signature sax sound, she has also featured her unique and modern approach to vocals on this album.
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