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A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges. - Benny Green |
Joe Sample |
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Synopsis: Joe Sample was born in Houston, Texas on February 1, 1939. He joined The Jazz Crusaders as a piano player in the 60's and contributed music that was defining for soul jazz. The band changed direction in the early 70's and shortened their name to The Crusaders with a clear boost on soul and funk. Sample began his career playing hard-bop and slipped into the influence of a more electric sound during the fusion period (The jazz movement known as Hard Bop began in the 50's and has been loosely defined as an extension of bebop and a rebellion in opposition to cool jazz). Sample stayed with the Crusaders for nearly 30 years while maintaining, in parallel, a successful personal career. He also worked as a habitual Motown session musician and in the 70's joined the group LA Express. Joe Sample continues to fashion quality solo work with great success...
- Christian Sarraf, Musicfolio 09/99
1978 Rainbow Seeker Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. This, Sample's first solo outing is certainly worth a listen. Although not many chances are taken, he gives himself plenty of room for expression and his distinct style is allowed to emerge. Some of the tracks border on the melodramatic, but overall it's a worthy effort.
- David Wangerin
1983 The Hunter Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. I enjoyed this record when it first came out, but with each passing year it seems to hold less interest. There are a few sublime moments--notably Phil Upchurch's unruffled solo on "Beauty and the Beast"--but not enough.
- David Wangerin
1987 Roles Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. 1989 Spellbound Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. There are too many guest vocalists and nods in different directions for my liking. The album seems to make more use of production values than Sample's inspired playing.
- David Wangerin
As a Smooth Jazz Broadcaster I get to hear a wide variety of artists and their music and unbiased as I must be, there are artists and music that attracts me to making them my personal favorites... as well as being good enough to share with my listening audience. Even after 11 years of life, this album never fails to attract new listeners and introduce brand new fans to the Sample magic....Joe does it all and leaves this reviewer absolutely spellbound.
- Al McCartan Breakfast Announcer
FM 91.5 CHATSWOOD, NSW, AUSTRALIA. 1990 Ashes To Ashes Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. Lacking in imagination and often cloyingly sweet, this one sounds as though it was created more by the record company than the artist.
- David Wangerin
1991 Collection Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. 1991 Fancy Dance Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. 1993 Invitation Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. This is a great album. The melodies are in sync with each other. I love his versions of story weather and mood indigo. Sample has proven that he can do classic jazz as well as contemporary. A must. engaging …
- nycparks@hotmail.com 04/01
 1994
Did You Feel That? Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. This is a very intelligent and yielding album, in which you will find a veritable musical cornucopia. The tunes are funky, soulful, and meditative. The harmonies are penetrating and powerfully engaging …
- Christian Sarraf, Musicfolio 09/99
Fans of the Crusaders early 70's music will enjoy this one. Sample is never better than when he is allowed to groove on the Fender Rhodes, and, blissfully, he is given plenty of room to do so here. There's also fine support from the likes of Oscar Brashear and Steve Gadd.
- David Wangerin
1996 Old Places, Old Faces Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. Perhaps one of the finest jazz albums around. Soft yet lively melodies make this a feast for the senses. Light some candles and open a bottle of wine and enjoy this one!
- Tinman1848@aol.com
1996
CarmelJust click here ! to send us your Review of this album. Joe Sample creates his usual brand of accessible jazz, invariably aesthetic and elegant, it somewhat lacks originality and although beautifully interpreted, is not his best work
- Christian Sarraf, Musicfolio 09/99
1997
OasisJust click here ! to send us your Review of this album. This meager undertaking is definitely not my favorite Sample effort despite a few great solos. The melodies are superficial and weak and, although not terrible, get tiresome - certainly not what I expected
- Christian Sarraf, Musicfolio 09/99
1997 Voices In The Rain Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. 1997
Sample This Reminiscent of the Crusaders, Joe Sample employs his talents through a more cerebral expression. The album is soulful but lightly touches on funk. A good effort, certainly worth a listen, but is a little too polite for my taste
- Christian Sarraf, Musicfolio 09/99
A Well-Done Revisitation of the Past. Joe Sample reaches back as far as Rainbow Seeker in this album "Sample This". The new tracks stand up to the flavor we have come to associate with Joe Sample. He is by far one of the greatest Jazz Pianists of all times.
- Steph, Washington, DC,
03/99
A must have for true J.Sample Fans. A Joe Sample feast. He does several acoustic piano covers of previous songs done with the Crusaders and on solo releases. If you only buy one CD by Joe Sample, buy this one.
- pyelder@yahoo.com, Columbia, MD,
12/98
1998 The Best Of Joe Sample Just click here ! to send us your Review of this album. The nicest compilation of his works. I have been playing this cd since I got it three years ago. Keep 'em coming.
- RAVEN R. MIRABEAU, SrA, USAF
1st Combat Communications Squadron Network Radio Ramstein AB, Germany 07/01 1999 The Song Lives On ... typical of this CD's low aim and artistic laziness. The vague expression of friendship in "Life," voiced listlessly by the technically adept but boring Lalah Hathaway, is perfect for the office-ready smooth-jazz radio format and little else.
- Rickey Wright, amazon.com
... From the instrumentals to the vocals, EVERY cut is superb...
- a music fan, NY/NJ,
09/99
Ladies & Gentlemen, get on your feet and keep clapping ... Absolutely breath-taking...It purged me of all the weight and hurt and baggage I was carrying for the day.
- udiwki@Hotmail.com, Maryland,
08/99
Don't listen to any of these negative reviews-it seems that these people seem to have an overly-cerebral concept of music. My only criteria is that the music come from real instruments, and that the singer can really sing!
- mharris@hotmail.com, U.S.A,
07/99
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 Quick links : (Albums)  Best Of Joe Sample Ashes To Ashes Carmel Collection Fancy Dance Invitation Oasis Old Faces Old Places Rainbow Seeker  Sample This  Song Lives On  Spellbound  Voices In The Rain |
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