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Since his self-titled 1990 smash debut, Dave Koz has been one of smooth jazz's greatest musicians. The saxman scored big on the radio and in retail even when he turned away from his established R&B/pop sound on 1996's Off the Beaten Path, which was done with more acoustic instruments. The Dance brings him back to the hard-hitting R&B funk sounds of that first album and its follow-up, 1993's Lucky Man. Aside from reuniting him with some of the producers who worked on his debut -- Jeff Lorber, Carl Sturken, Evan Rogers, and his brother Jeff Koz -- The Dance is a true testament to the art of collaboration. He surrounds himself with some of pop, R&B, gospel, and his own genre's greatest performers, but never lets you forget that this is a sax player's album. The swinging retro-funk/hip-hop of "Can't Let You Go (The Sha La Song)" features Luther Vandross. Modern R&B star Montell Jordan co-produces and takes lead vocal on a cover of Wham!'s "Careless Whisper" that is perhaps a bit too faithful to the original. Several members of Take 6 help Koz achieve a much more original effect on "I'll Be There." He also works with personal hero Burt Bacharach, who co-wrote and plays piano on the lovely soprano ballad "Don't Give Up." Koz ventures into Latin territory on "You Are Me, I Am You," which features a sizzling flamenco guitar solo by Marc Antoine, while another top smooth jazz guitarist, Jonathan Butler, scats and plays a vibrant acoustic harmony on "The Bright Side." Lest Koz get lost among all the partying with his pals, he does everything himself on the album's most exciting but possibly least commercial track, "Cuban Hideaway." This cut is a Tito Puente-type Latin jazz big band explosion on which he plays all the horn instruments, alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone -- 50 sax tracks in all. This disc is easily one of smooth jazz's finest moments of 1999, but imagine the possibilities had Koz put this sort of thought into creating more tracks so off the beaten path. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide The Dance Track Listing Together Again I'm Waiting for You Can't Let You Go (The Sha la Song) Careless Whisper Love Is on the Way Know You by Heart Surrender You Are Me, I Am You The Dance Cuban Hideaway The Bright Side Don't Give Up Right by Your Side I'll Be ThereRead full review
I had this album previously as an audio DVD that got caught in my player during a move and was destroyed. This time I decided to replace it with the regular CD version so that I can listen to it in our cars as well as the stereos at home. This CD covers a broad range of soft/smooth jazz in an easy listening-mode that Dave Koz does best. I would strongly recommend The Dance for it's mixture of artists as well as styles of smooth jazz songs with some vocals thrown in! Great music!
Dave Koz did an excellent job! Enjoyed the entire CD. It was especially a treat having BeBe Winans accompany Koz on the titled CD song...THE DANCE...beautiful CD.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Dance CD by Dave Koz is my favorite out from several of his CD's ! If you like C-Jazz and Dave Koz, you will love this one !
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
A mix of original songs and remakes of some classics, The Dance is a nice album to which you can relax. The ballard style of "I'm Waiting for You" allows us to appreciate the remarkable talent Koz offers on his instrument through the passion delivered though each note. Although predominantly an album you can just appreciate instrumentally, some lightly toned and harmonious vocals are included in songs like "Careless Whisper" which further emphasise the emotional journey Koz leads us though in this album. Despite being a slightly slower album, listeners are still offered more uptempo songs like "Can't Let You Go".