Reggie Codrington - Always In Motion (2015)

Tracklist
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01. Party Time (feat. Nils)
02. La Nights (feat. Nils)
03. Out On the Road (feat. Ricky Lawson & Clydene Jackson)
04. You Can't Stop Me (feat. Ricky Lawson)
05. Take It Slow (feat. Ricky Lawson)
06. Funky 21 (feat. Jeff Lorber)
07. Baja California (feat. Nils)
08. Alley Cat (feat. Nils)
09. The Way You Move Me (feat. Ricky Lawson)
10. Keep Me Close (feat. Nils)


This truly exciting, in the pocket 10 track set starts off with “Party Time,” which balances its dreamy retro-cool soul atmospheres with a bright and buoyant horn driven energy featuring rich brass flourishes and nonstop funk. Next up is the debut single “LA Nights”, which alternates dynamically between dreamy, atmospheric verses and the spirited, mid-tempo funked up hook. Urban jazz fans will also love the mid-tempo romance of “The Way You Move Me” (penned by Nils and Reggie and featuring the Codringtons soaring horn play) and the lighthearted and reflective, gently percussive “Out on the Road”. Codrington’s emergence in urban jazz circles is powerfully confirmed by the towering company he keeps, from #1 recording artist Nils (who produced the project, composed some of these wildly infectious pieces and lends his slick guitar, bass, keyboards and drum programming) to keyboard master Jeff Lorber (spicing up “Funky 21”) and the late, great R&B/jazz drum icon Ricky Lawson lending his groove to four tracks. Even more impressive is the glorious father/son horns of Reggie and his trumpeter dad Ray, whose tandem magic drives the emotion of most of the tracks.

Versatile smooth jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington hits a milestone with his 10th CD, “Always in Motion”, which follows 2012’s critically acclaimed “Vicarious Experience”. He’s joined by pianist Jeff Lorber and the late Ricky Lawson, whose deft and skillful drumming is always a welcome addition to the bottom end. Smooth jazz guitarist Nils, a regular presence on radio, produced and wrote much of the vibrant material. Codrington, who commands the soprano sax with verve, drawing comparisons with such icons as Grover Washington Jr. and Kenny G, kicks if off with “Party Time”, a smooth groove with guitar wah-wahs and layered brass bursts – a perfect song for a sunny drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. In fact, “Always in Motion” features a number of songs the North Carolina native dedicated to the West Coast.

On “LA Nights,” mournful sax lines transition smoothly to midtempo grooves, sublimely capturing the many moods of the after-hours, while “Out on the Road” and “Baja California” are as sweet and memorable song as you’ll hear this year or next. And “Baja California” offers a sultry vibe (hey, there’s even a few cricket sounds) where Codrington allows himself a chance to show off his sax skills with some tempting runs up and down his instrument. Elsewhere, “You Can’t Stop Me” shows the mark of confident musician proud of his ability to deliver a raucous tune sure to have fans dancing in the aisles during live shows. Like the sweet stuff? “Alley Cat” is buffeted by strings, and the melancholy “The Way You Move Me” is perfect for a shared nightcap.

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