Jonny & The Jazzuits - Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs
STYLE: Jazz RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 155844- LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
To make an exceptional album first you need excellent musicians, and Holland's Jonny & The Jazzuits are just that - a piano, standup bass and drum combo fronted by one of the most underrated sax players in Europe, Jonny Boston (whose solo albums 2004's 'What's Waiting?', 2008's 'Runnin' Wild' and 2009's 'Boston Manor' are well worth checking out). Next you need a strong concept - and getting your exceptional musicians to play and sing (Jonny sings as well as blowing a mean tenor) timeless classics like Stuart Hamblen's "It Is No Secret" and Martin J Nystrom's "As The Deer" is a strong concept. And finally to make an exceptional album you need the band to play not with the stilted self-consciousness that some British and American jazz praise projects released in the past but performed like this one with a relaxed vibe yet one which exudes sincerity. Jonny's sensitive singing is not always of the highest quality but on the bossa nova "Thoughts Of Love" and on the surging climax on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" he conveys true praise and worship without a hint of religious affectation. If the idea of jazz conveying adoration for the King of Kings appeals to you, check out this exceptional album for lovers of Jesus and jazz.
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