Jazz Not Jazz Vol.1

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Customer reviews

review by: Flying Dutchman date: 2006-07-08 rating:
An All Time Favourite
Simply beautiful. Without repeating too much of what earlier reviewers have already stated, this is a standout.

The arrangements are superb with plenty definition between the players, lots of spaces in the right places and Pat's voice swooping up and down the range.

If you are still undecided listen to any of the first 4 tracks - Free Like You, Iron Cage or Remember Me for a taster - and the cover of Alexander O'Neal's All True Man is a cracker.

Why they never followed this up with more Jazz I don't know but luckily this stands up to repeated listening and still sounds great and fresh after TEN years!!

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review by: happy_daze date: 2004-09-14 rating:
Better than Jazz?
Pat Kane's silky smooth vocals were one of the soundtracks of the mid to late 80's. Hue & Cry were cruelly undervalued by both public and press alike. Their white boy soul/funk/jazz sound was quite widespread at the time (anyone remember Johnny Hates Jazz? No? Exactly!) but the brothers Kane stood song writing head and shoulders above their peers.

As the 90's wore on it seemed that Hue and Cry were a distant, diminishing voice in the wilderness. Dropped from their record label they continued to release records via a number of smaller labels unable to give the band the marketing support they so desperately needed. The public fell out of love with their sound though ironically they began to make some of the best music of their career (check out the "Showtime" album for evidence). They eventually found a home at Scottish label Linn, the record company that gave the world The Blue Nile.

Then came "Jazz Not Jazz". The high watermark of Hue and Cry's career. Part jazz and part pop (hence the title) this album has exquisite song writing throughout. The assembled jazz soloists are given room to stretch and augment the songs. Nothing is hurried or stylised. The songs are not shackled by form. The piano, saxophone and guitar musicians guesting on the album give full flight to their talents during several key instrumental passages. It never sounds fully improvised, more of a late night jamming session.

Pat Kane's lyrics are as sharp and insightful as ever. There is the obligatory (for Hue & Cry) rant against careerism as well as songs detailing death, divorce, lost children and even Club 18-30 holidays (I kid you not). All delivered by a vocalist who has spent 15 years honing his craft into a silky warble.

I cannot recommend this album highly enough. Don't be put off by the album having "jazz" in the title. This is a slice of classy pop by a bend at the peak of their creative powers.

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review by: date: 2001-07-29 rating:
Pat's voice, the biggest inspiration in my singing career.
Pat has what is un'doubtedly one of the most beautiful male voices in this country. His phrasing and intonation is second to none. The album is great and I only hope that I can get to work with him one day. Maybe on my second album, who knows?. I have been a big, big fan of Hue and Cry from the word go. Wonderful to the core.


review by: hex-01 date: 2000-04-27 rating:
branching out is like coming home
I've been following the boys since the first album (yes back when it was still an LP! ) was released. The pureness and ingenuity of their music always draws me in, over and over. This collaboration with the Brecker Brothers just enhances the hint of jazz they always have had tucked in there and brings it out, without it being blatant and inaccessible. I love the intelligence of their compositions and most of all I always love the sensuality of Pat Kane's voice. Inspiring, comforting and simply wonderful to the ears and the musical soul!

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