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Alexander Zonjic
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“Reach For The Sky" on the now renown smooth Jazz Heads Up label may be a tad light and ‘extra smooth’ for the traditional purist, or for those who appreciate their music with bite. But if you do appreciate the quieter moments and revel in taking time to reflect you will enjoy this set.
Assisted with generous musical input from other respected fusion jazzers such as Kirk Whallum, Jeff Lorber, Earl Klugh and Paul Jackson Jr. Zonic’s sweet engaging flute flies freely and effortlessly throughout every track. While listening to "Angela" (The theme from taxi), you can really romanticise about that famous scene of that old Yellow cab cruising across the Manhattan Bridge.

Zonjic’s snake charmer like flute coupled with Wendy Moten’s unassuming vocal performance on “Far Away” give this track a magical innocence. I pressed the fast forward button as soon as the track faded hoping for more tasteful vocal collaborations. I was just as content to soak up Zonjic’s mesmerising flute once I discovered that the rest of the album consisted of mainly instrumentals, with the occasional backing vocals.

Lay back and massage your wary thoughts away with the track “Bellavia”. Though this is a Chuck Mangione composition, Zonjic makes it his own by easily delivering the many layers and textures this composition commands. In fact this CD has enough well delivered popular cover versions for Zonjic to be given the title ‘The Cover King’, though the Lennon & McCartney offering of “A Hard Day's Night” does sound a little contrived. And “Amazing Grace” is difficult to stomach if you have heard Marcus Miller’s cover from the excellent “M2” album first.

This album has a delicate long lasting charm, which washed over me from the very start. Like many intricately laced less directly slamming’ recordings, this album needs the right company
(if invited) and the right environment to be appreciated. Fortunately I have invested much time and patience in creating such an environment. So after a hectic noise polluted day I look forward to the peace this album has to offer.




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  Click the albums below to view the specific artists page.

Nelson Rangell - Playing for keep's (click to go to his page) Chuck Mangione - The Chuck Mangione Sampler (click to go to his page) Earl Klugh - Finger Paintings (click to go to his page)

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