Kenny G Albums (19)
What The Critics Say
Smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G delivers more of his trademark romantic saxophone sound, but with a Latin tinge on 2008's Rhythm and Romance. Rather than simply delivering a standard smooth jazz album with a few Latin beats, G has crafted a more of a straight-up Latin dance album. Moving from the frenetic and up-tempo salsa of "Sax-O-Loco," to the romantic and elegant orchestral ballad "Sabor a Mi" and the steamy fun of "Miramir Bailar," this is a rhythmically compelling and passionate affair that finds G in newly energized form. Where G can sometimes seem a little too programmed and predictable, here he and his fellow musicians are fired up with a kind of organic, playful joy. We even get to hear him burning through his solo on the gypsy-inflected "Peruvian Nights" with a visceral fortitude that's more post-bop than instrumental pop. Joining G here are such Latin music luminaries as former Weather Report drummer Alex Acuña, percussionists Paulinho Da Costa and Michito Sanchez, and guest vocals featuring Barbara Muñoz and the Mexican pop trio Camila. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
'I'm in the Mood for Love: The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time'
Release Date 11/7/2006
Tracks 13
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
There are bound to be those who will simply refuse to give Kenny G's 2006 release, I'm in the Mood for Love, half a chance, and it's a crying shame. Returning to a purely instrumental approach following At Last...The Duets Album (which featured a great cameo by Chaka Khan), I'm in the Mood for Love is admittedly a lot like Kenny G's other albums. Like At Last..., this is yet another album's worth of standards, ranging from torch songs to "Yesterday." And like every other album Kenny G has made, it's pop-oriented and ultra-smooth. But the overall feel of this release is a little brassier and a smidgen more big band than usual, and it adds up to some sparkling moments. The title track, "I'm in the Mood for Love," two-steps along with ease, warmth, and genuine emotion, and it's a real treat to hear Walter Afanasieff on piano. "The Way You Look Tonight" is refreshingly genteel, and there's something gratifying in hearing Kenny G belt out "Fly Me to the Moon." Naturally, there are a few underwhelming moments on the album. Kenny G's squealing improvisation on "Love Theme from 'Romeo and Juliet'" is a little over the top, and a few of the arrangements are forgettable, if not a tad silly (the chimes on "If," for example). But when a slinky-sweet number like "It Had to Be You" comes rolling around, you forget all about it. ~ Margaret Reges, All Music Guide
'The Greatest Holiday Classics'
Release Date 10/18/2005
Tracks 16
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
The Greatest Holiday Classics compiles highlights from the many holiday albums Kenny G has recorded over the years, adding four previously unreleased songs to the mix. Although these 16 tracks were recorded over many years, ranging from 1994's Miracles to 2002's Wishes, Kenny G didn't change his musical aesthetic much over the years, so this holds together rather well as an album. In fact, it could be argued that it's more cohesive than any of his proper Christmas albums -- it has a better selection of songs and boasts more tracks than Miracles, Wishes or 1999's Faith -- and while it's a little redundant to anybody that owns all three of those records, fans in a market for one Kenny G holiday album will find this very helpful indeed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'At Last...The Duets Album'
Release Date 11/23/2004
Tracks 13
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
Smooth jazz icon saxophonist Kenny G delivers his first all-guest-star album with At Last...The Duets Album. Featuring a coterie of big-name artists from the pop music world, including Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach, LeAnn Rimes, and others, At Last essentially maximizes the vocal crossover aesthetic prominent on many of G's prior albums. The formula largely works, coming off as a breezy, laid-back concert with G adding soft asides to his guest's vocal performances. To these ends, Brian McKnight reinvigorates "Careless Whisper" with a quiet storm intensity; Chaka Khan actually betters Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful," suffusing it with an infectious gospel/soul vibe; and Earth, Wind & Fire pull a "no brainer" on OutKast's "The Way You Move." Add to this a fairly organic production style that mixes in lush orchestral arrangements, funky organs, and real percussion as well as artists who seem to really enjoy themselves, and you've got one of Kenny G's most pleasing efforts...At Last. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
'Wishes: A Holiday Album'
Release Date 10/22/2002
Tracks 10
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
The smooth jazz messiah and saxman critics love to hate but sells millions anyway returns with a few surprises. Most of the genre's big artists know Kenny G. has great chops, but skeptics will point to the few sappy ballads here and groan, "here we go again, more of the unchallenging stuff." Those folks should check out his one tenor tune, the rockin' blues jam "Midnight Magic," whose feisty energy is about as far from a slick, bland ballad as he can get. Everyone is challenged, from the saxman to producer Walter Afanasieff (who fires up on Hammond B-3) and guitarist Phil Upchurch. A pity there aren't more tunes like that here, but in general, the saxman is on a more rhythmic and exotic plane here, beginning with the jubilant tropicality of the opener, "Brazil" (featuring a full orchestra and Afanasieff's funky keys), and extending through the flamenco-tinged romance "Spanish Nights." "Seaside Jam" and tunes like the title track combine the classic Kenny G. sound with a healthy dose of this type of groove. He has had loads of success with soulful crossover vocals and hits the mark this time with the dreamy urban adult contemporary songs "One More Time" (with Chanté Moore) and "All the Way" (with Brian McKnight). Overall, this is one of Kenny G.'s best, which will work concurrent miracles of selling yet more millions and giving his detractors a song or two they actually might enjoy. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Faith: A Holiday Album'
Release Date 11/16/1999
Tracks 12
Label Arista
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What The Critics Say
This very nice man mostly chooses the bright, cheery soprano saxophone for his instrumental renditions of such classics as "We Three Kings," "O Christmas Tree," and "The First Noel" on the ten-track album. Featured tracks "Auld Lang Syne (Millennium Mix" and "The Christmas Song" propelled this album to double-platinum before the last Christmas trees went down. This is the follow-up to the equally successful Miracles (1994). Producer and arranger was Walter Afanasieff, Kenny's collaborator and the famed saxophonist on Classics. ~ Tom Schulte, All Music Guide
'Classics in the Key of G'
Release Date 6/29/1999
Tracks 10
Label RCA
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Some jazz critics may point to Classics in the Key of G as proof of Kenny G's lack of jazz substance, but it really is proof of how well he makes instrumental pop albums. Yes, Kenny G has reworked a predictable set of pop classics, from "Summertime" to "The Look of Love," to fit his signature smooth sound, but that should be expected from an album like this. Kenny G will never abandon his signature sound because that sound is him; he doesn't want to push musical boundaries, he just wants to make gentle, melodic music. If he's seen as a pop musician, not a jazz saxophonist, his virtues become evident. Unlike some of his peers, there's genuine warmth in his tone, and he never diverts his attention from the melody; he crafts records around songs, not improvisations. Simply containing ten songs everybody knows, Classics in the Key of G is a pleasant, unassuming listen (with the exception of "What a Wonderful World," which contains a jarring original vocal from Louis Armstrong). As a matter of fact, it may be one of his better records, simply because he's working with ten terrific songs, and his performances show real affection for the music. He sticks to the original songs, only updating the production or throwing some minor glissandos into the melodies. His solos are extensions of the original themes -- at times, it's hard to tell when he's slipping into a solo since it's so smooth -- and it all comes together as nice, pleasant music. That may mean that Classics in the Key of G may occasionally fade into the background, but like any good instrumental pop album, it's sweet to the ears whether it's in the foreground or sonic wallpaper. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
