Jazz listings NEW versions + drama

[orest]

I would like some feedback on a few songs! The first one is for the uptempo piano jazz listing: *Jazz pianoThe second one is for the smooth jazz listing, Muzak type..*Smooth jazz 1 and 2*3 drama songsThe music is to be found here: www.alexanderorest.com/world.htm

[mazz]

Good stuff!!A couple of comments from an old jazz-head:In the solo piano piece, I don't think you need to play the breaks in the solo section. I'd solo right through them and break only before the head comes back in. Also, if you used the ending riff before the solo, it would tie the whole thing together for me and make the form a bit clearer. I think the latin feel works and the modal harmonic structure is a good choice as well.In the smooth jazz piece, I'd recommend playing the head on the electric piano. The flute sound isn't cutting it, it's too weak and one dimensional and obviously sampled, IMO. It's just too exposed. You could certainly use it to double the melody, mixed in the background. It works well there right near the end when the brass are in. The brass sound good, I'd bring them in earlier, possibly behind the solo as a background pad or after the first B section. When they came in unannounced near the end in a featured role, it kind of was too surprising given the sparse textures of what came before it. If they are soft when they first come in, the piece will still build as it does. They are effective as a way to build the piece when they come in loud, it's just a bit jarring not having heard them introduced earlier.Keep up the good work!!Mazz

[orest]

I will definitely take your advice! I must agree regarding the flute sound, it is not good enough to feature the lead melody alone. Thanks!

[suzdoyle]

I agree with Mazz, and would add:Wonderful groove and vibe on the solo piano tune!What about an ethnic instrument e.g. a Chinese Eh-ru or a Zither or ?? on the smooth jazz piece??Awesome tunes!Suz

[geo]

Not qualified to say any more than I listened and enjoyed both.... the first is my fav.... the second too good for Muzak IMHO...Great stuff....Peace, Geo

[stephen1977]

Sept 20, 2008, 10:12am, orest wrote:I would like some feedback on 2 songs! The first one is for the uptempo piano jazz listing: *Jazz pianoThe second one is for the smooth jazz listing, Muzak type..*Smooth jazzThe music is to be found here: www.alexanderorest.com/world.htmI only have time to review one for now man. I'm going with the first one, "Jazz Piano."Listening...Well, right off the bat it is no secret that you are an accomplished pianist. Great technique and dynamics! My only complaint concerning the actual "piano" is the sound itself, especially in the higher octaves. Sounds like you are using touch sensitive keys? Because of this the samples timbre sounds the same despite the dynamic you put on it. Hope that makes sense. Yes, your dynamics are coming through crystal clear, but the "timbre" should change when you play louder.. ..it doesn't, only the volume does.I'm assuming this is a finished piece, but I tell you, I could really see this song stepping up a bit more with percussion and other instruments added. Jazz drums, namely, brushed stare and ride hits. Bass guitar, and some beautiful clean tone guitar runs would accent this piece really well. The breaks I felt were a cool addition to the song and really helped cut up any possible redundant feelings to my ears. You keep the song short and sweet, as well it should be. The content calls for this to be an in and out piece. Short in other words. The modal harmonics worked really well for this track in aiding the feel I think you were really after. (I think another guy said that too!)The production was decent, although I would have liked to have heard a more deeper tone to the low keys and more mellow tone to the high keys. That is just a personal preference however. Although I told you I enjoyed the breaks, I would possibly consider some hard left to right or right to left panning a measure or two before just to help create a more interactive atmosphere. Thinking along these lines also leads me to believe that during those wonderful solo sections if you cut the tracks up and had them sweeping one another what kind of effect and role that would play on the overall performance. I say some experimentation on the mix itself would be challenging and fun. Its very difficult to pull off a piece on a solo instrument and still keep your listeners attention. You do this successfully by keeping the length down, which was wise on your part. Like I mention above, I would be tempted to really start experimenting with the mix itself to see what kind of "outside of the box" vibe you could create!Just to joke for a second, the format of this song really reminded me of the "Peanuts" theme. That is not a bad thing, I think its great actually. This creates a nice, upbeat and happy mood. You have a lot of talent for sure man as a pianist. I can't complain at attack, or technique or even arrangement. Most of the things I mentioned above were from a personal standpoint anyway.I could easily see this being used as a theme song, or upbeat section in a movie... ...possibly a commercial as well, so the potential for this track to be used in the film medium is quite high.Thanks for the chance to listen man! I really enjoyed it! When I get more time, I will check out the other one!

[orest]

Thanks for your time! I have made a few changes now! There are even new versions again! But the quality this time. Used another encoder and it sounded better! Thanks again for your comments, I am not a jazz musician mainly, I'm trained in the classical way, but these days I prefer jazz, symphonic rock, pop, rock music, musicals and film/TV music.