jazz tune returned...

[guitarhacker]

I submitted Alluring Faces to this listing: On my TAXI page

SMOOTH JAZZ INSTRUMENTALS a la Dave Koz, Foreplay, Brian Culbertson, The Rippingtons, etc. are needed by a Worldwide Independent Music Publisher for placement in retail/commercial settings . He said, and we quote: “Mid-tempo grooves work best -- ballads and uptempos are harder to place.” Pieces must use live musicians (or at least sound like it -- a smattering of midi embellishments is OK). They are NOT looking for ethereal new age music. He also mentioned: “Songs should get right to the point, and be 2:30 to 3:30 minutes in length.” Broadcast quality needed (great sounding home recordings are OK)

The song, and the second one also submitted were both returned. Any ideas as to why this song was returned?

Commentary in P2P was very positive before this submission. I also felt confident on this listing..... until I checked my email today.

[Len911]

OOps I had the volume too low. I had to relisten. I loved the guitar work!! very excellent!! I think the drums and possibly the bass seemed a little too loud to me, the drums especially. Other than that it sounded great!!!!

[slowdance]

Loved the guitar work.......As from what I can hear it may be the drums that sound more like a sampled loop than actually being played by a live musician...the drums do have a louder presence than what they need in this nice jazz groove....that's what I am hearing......

Regards,
Dick

[rld]

The playing sounds good, but it doesn't sound cohesive...there is no melody, just noodling around.
Some of the solos have connecting phrases that sound weird to me.
I suspect this is constructed from sample loops and not played/recorded by you.
Not saying that's wrong as I've used loops for some projects, but it can be overdone.
I'm curious, did you actually play any of the instruments?

[jazzgtr]

I agree with the above statement. Good effort, but a screener who knows jazz well, and jazz vocabulary will hear right through this one. You have couple of descent licks in there, but they don't flow. Theres also not a "head"/melody.

My advice would be to learn to play a few jazz tunes, listen closely to a lot of jazz, and even transcribe and learn to play some of the greats solos. Jazz is definitely one of those genres that you can't fake your way through, especially considering there are sooooo many really great unknown players out there, and probably quite a few who are taxi members.

[pboss]

it's a real nice tune, feels good, nice energy. I kind of agree with some of the comments above, but specifically if I had to guess on why the return, I would look to the idea of presenting a distinct melody as opposed to going right into what feels more like soloing, at least that is what the screeners seem to need to hear. Possibly the drum samples, too could be an issue for the screener. The melody topic is something I have been having to re-think and to me it means simplifying, and repeating, (still getting a grip on this topic). Hope this track does find a happy home!

[BruceBrown]

Hey Herb,
First let me start by saying I thought the guitar tone was nice. Warm sounding commercial tone. I liked the changes, it sounded right for smooth jazz. Good playing and a bit of Larry Carlton vibe, and we all like him right?
My first impression right out of the shoot was the drums did seem too out front for the track.
Other people have mentioned this. That could have been why it was returned.
I heard some repeating phrases that hinted at a melody,but like others have stated there was nothing 100% defined saying "this is the tune".
Nothing that sticks in your head that you find yourself whistling later.
All in all I thought it was good and if you missed the mark it wasn't by much brother.
I know the feeling. I got one returned and they said my e and b string were out of tune.
I didn't agree. I let it go and moved on to the next one.
Still I'm checking my tuning a little more often now.

Hope this was helpful.
Good Luck
Later

[rnrmachine]

It's quite good, but in the jazz world, it sounds like a jam at a club late night before the band is about to do the last song. I gather this isn't what they were looking for. Study the genre more in depth and you will nail these listings though. You are quite good.

I don't feel like the drums are too upfront, just more that they are wrong for the genre. Although if you listen to Dave Coz "I Believe" those drums start out sounding VERY sampled and obviously on purpose. Then they almost sound rock and are quite big. More like a rock ballad big. So I don't think it's your drum sound that got you returned. I think it's that you handed them a "jam session" rather than a song.

Best of luck in all you do!!!

Rob