Well this continues to be a great year for some very solid records (yeah I still call em' that). Just when I thought you can't touch Lukather or Champlin this year out comes a fantastic new project from session ace's Jay Graydon & Randy Goodrum. The new project has them combining their talents to form a project simply titled "JaR." The recording, titled "Scene 29," is a 11 track gem of top notch musicianship, with crafty songwriting, featuring stellar vocals from both. That is the one thing I always "dug" about the both of them. Always known as great producers, songwriters and session players, Graydon and Goodrum really shine when they are out front. They step out front in a big way on this project. Some are saying it sounds like an homage to Donald & Walter but I think it is 110% Jay & Randy. If anything I think Fagen & Becker might be jealous after listening to this project! All the cuts are great, but "GPS" has to be one of the coolest songs ever written.
Besides the great vocal harmonies, there are so many infectious grooves on this recording that you will need to phone a Dr! Graydon's guitar solo's only get better. He is such a clean and tasty player and Goodrum's keyboard parts are both funky yet layered with a heavy dose of jazz chord structures that are very pleasing to any set of ears.
You really can't put a label on this record, nor would I want to. It is flavored with Pop, Jazz, what they call AOR and even R&B. I call it a superb record by two guys who really deserve high props for what is just a big "JaR" of success. Do yourself a favor and find this record. You can thank me later.
Find it at:
http://www.jarzone.com
Brian Pearson
Deacon Grooves Media
Chicago, IL
