Pacific Coast Highway

by Nils

Overview

Although the veteran composer/guitarist's website could use a major update -- it is contemporary to 1998 -- he's right in the pocket of modern smooth jazz with his 2005 release. He comes with a solid pedigree in the genre, having recorded a duet with George Benson (who also once covered "Keep Rollin'," given a trippy-moody makeover here), and working with Rick Braun, Marcus Johnson and Gabriela Anders. But his all-star associations aren't as important as his facility for melody and groove, and he does well on both counts here, beginning with the bright, vibrant Norman Brown-like title track, playing it snappy and funky on "Back Pocket" and showing a more intimate side with "Coming Home." Lively, swinging breezy gems like "Cruisin'" show off a powerful ability to collaborate with some of the genre's best sidemen, including Abe Laboriel, Rob Mullins, Alex Acuna and Paul Jackson, Jr., whose influence on the guitarist is apparent throughout the project. While he's solid as a writer of radio-friendly tunes, he includes a few covers for variety, one a throbbing twist on "You've Got a Friend," the other a much more eventful and interesting bluesy jam on Toto's minor hit "Georgy Porgy." Whether Nils can break through to the genre elite is up in the air, but he's certainly got some good material here to start him on his way. ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	01/25/2005
Label:	BAJA RECORDS
UPC:	0025221054526

Tracks

1. Pacific Coast Highway
2. Back Pocket
3. Georgy Porgy
4. Coming Home
5. You've Got a Friend
6. Cruisin
7. Sneakin'
8. Summer Nights
9. Hey Ya
10. Keep Rollin'
11. Kona Girl
12. Baja California

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nils   Primary Artist,Various Instruments
Steve Reid   Percussion,Percussion
Joe Heredia   Drums
Gerald Albright   Flute
Gerald McCauley   Scat,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Chris Trujillo   Djembe
Joe Wolfe   Keyboards
Alex Acuna   Percussion
Kathryn Bostic   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Enzo Todesco   Drums
Slim Williams   Soloist,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
Eric McKain   Percussion
Han Zermuehlen   Keyboards
Rastine Calhoun III   Saxophone
John Hart   Bass
Andrea Mange   Bass
Paul Jackson, Jr.   Guitar (Rhythm)
Steve Ferrone   Drums
Dov   Strings
Kevin Ricard   Percussion
Larry Steen   Bass (Upright)
Chante Moore   Vocals
Rob Mullins   Organ,Synthesizer
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.   Bass
Dan Farrow   Keyboards
Alex Al   Bass
Ronnie Foster   Piano

Technical Credits

Joe Wolfe   Audio Production,Assembly,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Nils   Audio Production,Composer
Gerald McCauley   Composer,Producer,Programming
Wolfgang Amadeus   Mixing
Steve Hall   Mastering
David Rideau   Mixing
Jurgen Reisch   Photography
Carole King   Composer
David Paich   Composer