If you thought the days of the super-groups were over, think again: Audio Caviar surely deserves the title. It’s the brainchild of drummer/vocalist and original member of Earth, Wind & Fire Ralph Johnson. On Transoceanic, their first outing as Audio Caviar, Johnson teams up with Morris Pleasure (composer and musical director for EWF, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Janet Jackson, Rachelle Ferrell and more) boards and Steen Kyed of the danish group TAO on guitars, in a unique and impressive venture into adult contemporary and smooth jazz. Powerful supporting contributions are made Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) on vocals; Al McKay (original member of Earth, Wind & Fire) on rhythm guitar; Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire) on bass; Paulinho Da Costa on percussion; George Duke on piano; Jonathan Butler, Howard Hewett (Shalimar), and Dori Caymmi on vocals; and the Earth, Wind & Fire Horn Section, among others.
Transoceanic features original songs by Marcel East, Ralph Johnson, and Morris Pleasure. Their fruitful collaboration as a writing team has provided hit material for numerous artists. The work of Pleasure, Johnson, and East, individually and together as songwriters, composers, and producers, is showcased on albums by Earth, Wind & Fire, the Temptations, Huey Lewis & the News, Bob James, Fourplay, David Benoit, Celine Dion, Ricardo Silveira, and Najee, to name only a few.
Audio Caviar stands up to its name as a group, delivering smooth and silky sounds that represent contemporary music at its best. Their spectrum runs from adult contemporary to smooth jazz, flavored by ethnic moods.
REVIEW FROM SMOOTHJAZZ.COM:
TRANSOCEANIC is an expansive, deep album of premium-quality tracks from Earth, Wind & Fire drummer/vocalist Ralph Johnson, keyboardist/bassist Morris Pleasure, and Danish guitarist Steen Kyed, together known as Audio Caviar. Now those key points alone should be enough to pique your interest in this fascinating and extremely satisfying musical odyssey. Add Philip Bailey's exquisite voicing on the beautiful and sensuous "Dominique" (the first radio single), George Duke's incredible performance on the lush "The Island," Jonathan Butler's superb vocal work on the entrancing "Legends of Ratava," and Howard Hewett's soulful reading of "Love Comes in Time" and the result is an amazingly warm and exciting package of music. The ties to Earth, Wind & Fire are unmistakable and bring a comfort level and familiarity to the whole sound and feel of this project. You can probably tell that I'm impressed with this recording. I love the depth and richness of Audio Caviar's music, but I'm also totally into the positive, spiritual vibe that comes through clearly in every performance. The group came about from Ralph's and Morris' April, 2000 meeting in Copenhagen to begin a new conceptual jazz project. TRANSOCEANIC (recorded in both Copenhagen and Los Angeles) is Audio Caviar's first release, and brings with it the promise of much more to come from this emerging super group. Their music has been described as "Smooth Jazz with an R&B edge and World Music Diversity." I call it simply "superb." When you hear it, I think you'll agree!
- SCOTT OBRIEN, smoothjazz.com
Buy this great CD at The Alliance Music Store - PLGMEDIA.COM !
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