Jazz / Urban, Instrumental Pop, Crossover Jazz, Quiet Storm, Smooth Jazz
Najee - Producer
Barry Eastmond Producer
Brigid Pearson Design
Charlie Elgart Producer
Diego Uchitel Photography
E.J. Camp Photography
Fareed Producer
George Duke Producer
Gordon Jee Art Direction
Pamela Springsteen Photography
Rahni Song Producer
Ron McMaster Mastering
Wayne Brathwaite Producer
This album contains a selection of 11 highlights from the smooth saxophonist's late-'80s and '90s recordings for EMI/Capitol. There may be a few fan favorites missing, but Najee's career lends itself better to an anthology than most musicians, mainly because it is oriented toward songs, not performances. Consequently, this disc offers a good overview of his career, since it captures not only many of the best-known songs such as "For the Love of You," "Tokyo Blue," "Can't Hide Love," "Day By Day," "Betcha Don't Know," "Najee's Theme" but it also gives a good sense of what his albums sound like. "The Best of Najee" is an excellent choice for the curious and casual fan.
The Best of Najee contains a selection of 11 highlights from the smooth saxophonist's late-'80s and '90s recordings for EMI/Capitol. There may be a few fan favorites missing, but Najee's career lends itself better to an anthology than most musicians, mainly because it is oriented toward songs, not performances. Consequently, this disc offers a good overview of his career, since it captures not only many of the best-known songs -- "For the Love of You," "Tokyo Blue," "Can't Hide Love," "Day by Day," "Betcha Don't Know," and "Najee's Theme" -- it also gives a good sense of what his albums sound like. An excellent choice for the curious and casual fan. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Najee
Active Decades: '80s and '90s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Urban, Instrumental Pop, Adult Contemporary, Jazz-Pop, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Quiet Storm, Smooth Jazz
One of the best-selling instrumentalists of the late '80s to mid-'90s, Najee has been a consistent favorite in the quiet storm and so-called "smooth jazz" markets. Often compared to Kenny G, George Howard, and Dave Koz, the New Yorker has been greatly influenced by Grover Washington, Jr. -- although he hasn't been nearly as adventurous. Heavily produced and quite formulaic, Najee's albums have tended to avoid improvisation and strive for commercial radio airplay above all else. Debuting in 1987 with Najee's Theme, Najee was an immediate hit in the new adult contemporary (NAC) market. Similiar popurban jazz dates like 1988's Day By Day and 1990's Tokyo Blue did nothing to jeopardize his niche on smooth jazz radio. On stage, Najee takes some risks and stretches out more -- in fact, he has been quoted as saying he'd like to record a straight-ahead jazz or hard bop album eventually. But financially, Najee has had little incentive to pursue such a project. Morning Tenderness was released in 1998.
---Alex Henderson, All Music Guide |
