Nicholas Cole - Night Sessions (2015)

Wonderment comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Here, we have it in the form of meticulous production of quality contemporaryNicholas Cole CD jazz as rising keys giant, Nicholas Cole, continues to amaze us with the breadth and depth of his musical soul, knowledge, talent, and grasp of jazz concepts as they relate to The Groove. His latest gem is called Night Sessions and serves up white-hot groove after white-hot groove, which actually couldn’t possibly be any other way, considering how many smash hits he’s produced for others in addition to his own projects.

With that energy reserved for the hottest of keyboardists, Cole nails killer tracks like the stompin’ and sassy “Mary Ann,” the equally qualified funky mid-tempo ”Radiohead,” the highly charged Brian Culbertson-like “Kickback,” the slick, strutting “Let’s take a Ride,” the soulful and saucy R&B-tapped “So Good,” and the up-tempo groovester “Roar,” all balanced with that sexy love touch found on such tracks as the laid back “My Love,” the casual “Date Night,” and the oh-so-gentle and sweet charmer finale “In the Dark.” Does this young man have the creative juice? In abundance.

He comes to this party with an army of mega-talented contributors, including bassist Julian Vaughn, saxman Steve Cole, guitarist Kayta Matsuno, and vocalist Anthony Saunders. Yep, this was a can’t-miss project from the beginning.

Cole possesses a knack and certainly a gift for what moves and holds listeners. His brand of c-jazz is not only refreshing but so necessary for the promise of quality jazz to come. The musical baton can be passed to the likes of him from the c-jazz vets so very easily and not miss (pardon the pun) a beat. The message to this keys mastermind is clear: Keep it coming, young man. We’re listening and feeling. – Ronald Jackson

Tracklist:
01. Nicholas Cole - Mary Ann (4:09)
02. Nicholas Cole - Radiohead (3:41)
03. Nicholas Cole - The Kickback (3:47)
04. Nicholas Cole - Let's Take a Ride (4:49)
05. Nicholas Cole; Anthony Saunders - So Good (4:16)
06. Nicholas Cole; Julian Vaughn - My Love (4:58)
07. Nicholas Cole; Steve Cole - Date Night (3:48)
08. Nicholas Cole - Roar (3:44)
09. Nicholas Cole; Kayta Matsuno - Hide and Seek (3:46)
10. Nicholas Cole - In the Dark (5:28)