| View Larger Image | Mind Over Matter | Audio CDby Najee
| List Price: | $18.98 | | Price: | $14.99 | | You Save: | $3.99 (21%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Audio CD | | Studio: | Heads Up | | Release Date: | August 25, 2009 | | Sales Rank: | 3,473rd |
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TRACK LISTING |
Disc: 1
- Track 1: Love You a Lifetime
- Track 2: Sweet Summer Nights
- Track 3: Mind Over Matter
- Track 4: Love Forever and a Day After
- Track 5: We Gone Ride - Eric Benet, , Najee
- Track 6: Journey
- Track 7: Stolen Glances - Jeff Lorber, Najee
- Track 8: Needless to Say
- Track 9: One More Thing
- Track 10: Moon Over Carolina
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Album Description
Sometimes making music is all about the mechanics - balancing the melody with the harmony and the rhythm, making sure the tempo is right from the beginning of the song to the end, matching the right vocalist to the story within the lyrics, knowing when to come in with the solos and when to hang back...the litany of technical details to consider in crafting a piece of good music can be endless. But sometimes the process is much more intuitive and effortless. Sometimes the planets line up and the right groove emerges on its own, and all anyone needs to do - musicians and listeners alike - is get on board and ride into a realm of limitless possibilities.That intuitive approach is at the heart of Mind Over Matter. In addition to Najee's fine balance of songcraft and musicianship, the album also includes songwriting and guest appearances by keyboardist Jeff Lorber and vocalists Eric Benét and Gary Taylor. The album title, says Najee, is inspired by Miles Davis' approach to songwriting, especially in the latter part of his career. "In his later years, he took a very loose and improvisational approach," he says. "He would start with nothing more than a groove that Marcus Miller or some other member of his band would lay down. And from there he would just develop these melodies that were very simple but at the same time very compelling and very memorable. It was a creative process that bypassed the nuts and bolts of the song and just got right to the essence of it."Whatever the groove - be it R&B, neo-soul, contemporary jazz or an intriguing blend of all these styles and more - Mind Over Matter adds another layer of sophistication and polish to Najee's substantial and diverse body of work. "Whenever I go into the studio, I try to make a record that's a little different from the last one," he says. "I want people to get the same Najee that they're familiar and comfortable with, but at the same time, I want them to hear something fresh, something interesting, something unpredictable - with a couple extra voices in the mix that they haven't heard on my records in the past." |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 5 reviews)
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Najee takes me there! by Ambitious1908 (Jackson, TN)  5 Stars
October 20, 2009
I can always count on Najee to take me there. I am feeling "Stolen Glances" , " One More Thing", " Sweet Summer's Night" and " Love you a lifetime". Great music.
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najee - mind over matter by Proudly South African (South Africa) 5 Stars
September 28, 2009
The whole CD is lovely,I play it everyday.Good value for money. Each and everyday I have a different favorite song that I can play for hours. You won't be disapointed.
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Najee good to have you doing what you do best by Michael D. Mccauley (Australia)  4 Stars
September 25, 2009
Love this guy, his sound got a little predictable, that's fine, however a musician of Najees calibre needs to be more than "fine" & this album is a huge cut above that. Enjoy it.
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one of his finest by James G. Floyd (hoover, alabama USA) 5 Stars
August 27, 2009
This was my first purchase of Najee's music in some time. I felt he had gone stale but this is a new direction and has lots of variety for the c jazz fan.
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Easy on the ear. by jazzkat 4 Stars
August 25, 2009
There are many reasons to enjoy the great tenor saxophone playing of American smooth jazz star Najee, but his gorgeous, velvet tone and exquisite lyricism are probably best showcased on ballads, which is why this collection is such a winner.
It's a rare treat to hear an album which conjures up one particular mood and functions like a suite of music, but Najee and his bandmates establish a late-night, seductive vibe with the soulful opener, 'Love You A Life Time', and keep it going throughout.
Najee knows how to deliver a balanced mix of contemporary Jazz grooves, funky beats and Soul tunes. On the Soul side, Gary Taylor gives an exemplary vocal on the beautiful 'Move Over Carolina' and Eric Benet joins the party on the more current 'We Gone Ride' that has hints of D'Angelo/ Musiqsoulchild to its vibe.
'Mind Over Matter' has an infectious smoothly funky groove, whilst 'One More thing' has hints of Grover to the overall feel.
'Forever And A Day After' sees Najee especially gentle soprano sax glide over this lilting slowie.
'Stolen Glances' - probably one of the best tracks - is a very smooth workout, both Najee's alto and the support provided by Jeff Lorber and full rhythm section.
My highlights: "Sweet Summer Nights", and "One More Thing" and "Stolen Glances" (both with keyboardist/producer/composer Jeff Lorber).
Update.
The album debuts at # 4 of the Billboard Top Jazz Album.
Issue date: September 12, 2009
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