Alex Lattimore

TOO SMOOTH
A man of multiple musical talents—piano, trumpet and vocals—Alex Lattimore is originally from
Chicago but came to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, where he focused mainly on trumpet in
his alma mater’s marching, concert and jazz bands. Soon after, he performed at the ’96 Summer
Olympics with a band called Sirius B, playing trumpet, singing lead and background vocals, and cowriting
many songs. That exposure led to performing with big-name artists like Luther Vandross,
Tina Turner and Michael McDonald. He’s had a number of great collaborations, but where Lattimore
shines is in his live performances. He wowed us this year at the Futures of Jazz competition and with
his performance at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, and we think he’s just one break away from being known
across the country. Lattimore can be seen around local jazz clubs like Churchill Grounds and
Londzell’s Jazz and Blues in Roswell, giving crowds something to move to with his deep, soothing
and soulful voice. What would we consider his sound? Definitely seductive—but you’ll have to find
that out for yourself. www.alexlattimore.net.
- The Atlantan - October 2007

ALEX LATTIMORE
Promise
US Alex JDot Productions, 2008

1) Kissing You 2) Bernadette 3) Lullabye 4) Promise 5) Jazzman Blues 6) Sunlight in My Rain 7) Windows Keep Risin’ to the Top 9) A Million Ways 10) In Your Eyes

Can you imagine Will Downing singing the Keith Washington classic Kissing You? Well, that’s exactly the impression you get when you’re listening to Alex Lattimore’s reading of the song. It’s like Will singing the tune over an extremely stylish, jazzy, even Bossa Nova-ish musical backdrop with lots of saxophone, and Alex really sounds like Will Downing at his very best on this glorious track - one of the best you’ll hear all year!

Luckily, Alex’s debut set is not an all-cover set, but having Kissing You and Keni Burke’s classic Keep Risin’ to the Top as the cover song picks on his album speaks volumes about what kind of an artist we have here. Alex Lattimore has been questing mainly on jazz albums before this debut set, and the fact that he is also a talented trumpet/flugel horn player has helped him building a reputation of a major new talent in the jazz/soul scene. Alex was a member of band called Sirius B. Project, which released an album on Cafe de Soul label in the U.K. back in 2003, and after that his vocals have been heard on several other CDs including Moon Bossa by Khari Simmons & Julie Dexter, Sun and Moon and Day Into Night by Jiva and Breathe New Life by Rhonda Thomas.

Promise is Lattimore’s debut solo album, and it proves he is much more than a mere impersonator of Will Downing. On different tracks, Alex sound quite different, and what is self-evident that he is perfectly at home at a jazz and bossa nova atmosphere with real instrumentation, and his debut set is targeted for people who enjoy as much jazz and bossa nova as much as they love listening to timeless soul music.

Personally, I admit that I belong exactly to this target group, and thus I love both the jazzier cuts on offer here and the more soul-oriented tunes. Those who prefer Alex in a Downing-ish mode, will certainly adore tracks like the aforementioned soul covers Kissing You and Risin’ to the Top, as well as the lovely closing track In Your Eyes or the previous track A Million Ways, both of which could have stylistically been included on any of Downing’s recent albums. As a vocalist, Alex has also been compared to Jon Lucien and Luther Vandross - you can also track him covering Luther’s Never too Much live on concert (Hot Ice Live in Atlanta at VideoGoogle).

On the other hand, if you love first-class jazzy instrumentation with bossa nova type of rhythms, you will certainly also track like Windows (co-written with Khari Simmons) or Sunlight in the Rain. Bernadette is a serene ballad with Kevin Houser on alto sax and Alex singing partly improvised lyrics over a smooth bossa nova rhythm - Alex himself blows the fluger horn solo. The following track Lullabye also features Alex on flugel horn plus DeWayne Martin on tenor saxophone, while the vocal parts are limited to some mild colouring by Alex.

I regard the whole project as one of the finest in the whole decade, although I reckon that this CD will mainly attract those readers who also like jazz, while the soul lovers will probably stick to the Will Downing-ish tunes on the album. I’d also love to see Alex performing live some day - hopefully in some intimate jazz club or at a jazz festival. The artists he has already opened for of performed with include Earl Klugh, Groove Collective, Roy Ayers, Loose Ends, Kindred the Family Soul and Maysa Leak.



- Ismo Tenkanen

The 80’s were a time when R&B held some of the most timeless voices in soul music. Well, Alex Lattimore seems to have been blessed with a voice that blends that golden age of soul into a well produced package of quality soul and jazz that he has unleashed upon the soul music world in a debut CD entitled “Promise”. It’s as if Lattimore invoked the spirit of Luther Vandross and Anita Baker and left a few of the rough edges in there just to assure all that he still has a bit of himself to offer as an original. This originality is anchored in his ability beyond a mere vocalist. Lattimore is a songwriter, arranger, producer, and a multi instrumentalist (Flugel Horn, Synthesizer, Rhodes Piano, Moog). This has led him to perform with the likes of Tina Turner, Michael McDonald, India.arie, Earl Klugh, Groove Collective, Maysa, Roy Ayers, and so many more.

Even with the throwback soul appeal in his vocals there is one major theme that carries throughout this CD, sexy. On his title track, “Promise” his bassy masculine voice guides you throughout a beautifully arranged track that harmonizes over a fun bassline and a simple groove. The experience of this track definitely conjures visions of BIG Luther…not lil’ Luther! And you will definitely find yourself wondering if Lattimore was a lost relative, cousin, or simply a reincarnation of Mr. Vandross. Couple this track with “Lullabye” and you have enough to light some candles, chill a wine bottle, and set the mood for that special someone.

What makes Lattimore shine is his devotion to a more traditional jazz sound than simply a soul scene. These dimensions to his talent are quite clear on the latin jazz flavored “Sunlight In My Rain” and “Windows”. On “Bernadette”, Lattimore takes a page from Will Downing or Marcus Miller and skats over a bass guitar bent upon making you sway to the quiet storm beat. Alex also takes charge of an astounding remake of Keni Burke’s “Rising To The Top” with truly inspired sax play. Then on “Jazzman Blues”, Lattimore takes things a step further with a scorching, smooth, sexy, and sultry vybe that will put a drink in your hands, sunglasses on your face, a stage under your speakers, and a jazz club in your room!

As a complete project, Lattimore has definitely set the stage for himself as an essential contemporary jazz artist and soul singer that will keep smooth jazz on the map, minds, and hearts of many.
- Ben Brown Jr. - HoneySoul.com

Lattimore has a smooth voice reminiscent of the velvety Luther Vandross. The first few listens I found it difficult to find focus on the fine musicianship of this recording, instead I was listening to how incredibly warm and inviting this vocalist was. This is the kind of music that forces you to stop life for a moment, turn the lights down low, relax, and spend some time with the one you love. It is important to take the time to share the joy of the music and let the spontaneity of conversation take you somewhere else. That does not sound all that complicated but in today’s busy world and our fast moving lives, how often do we stop to smell the roses? I can honestly say not nearly enough for this listener. Music from people like Alex Lattimore make me reevaluate things and force me to relax and take it all in.The process of making such an appealing blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and blues must be similar. The task of creating the music then making the right interpretation in words must take every ounce of energy an artist has to offer. Stopping to enjoy the moment and be a part of the process is a key factor. Lattimore has recorded an excellent album and surely dug down deep to pull out his very best creative juices to make such a consistent and enjoyable album.Of the 10 tracks on this CD, I cannot seem to come up with a favorite or pinpoint any one outstanding thing and the reason is that I thought the entire effort was excellent. One track seemingly melted right into the next, never giving way to any weaknesses with the arrangements, recording quality or musicianship.If you enjoy smooth jazz, R & B or soul…this is an album you need to check out. Alex Lattimore is not a household name yet, he is not a superstar, but that is not a prerequisite for the true music lover looking to discover new talented artist. This would be a good CD to start your journey if you have been looking for the latest indie artist on the rise in this genre of music, I Promise.

© MuzikReviews.com-http://www.muzikreveiws.com
- Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-June

It’s always exciting to discover great new music from an outstanding new artist. That’s what Chicago-born and raised (now Atlanta-based) vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Alex Lattimore and his brilliant solo debut, PROMISE are all about. Combining elements of Smooth Jazz, R&B, and the blues into a beautiful, romantic expression of heartfelt emotions reminiscent of Will Downing, Jon Lucien or Luther Vandross, Mr. Lattimore has scored himself a surefire winner with this project! Not only are his compositions amazing and his voice powerfully compelling, but his keyboard and horn work (trumpet and flugelhorn) are also impressive. Are you looking for a “Quiet Storm” vibe in a vocal album? PROMISE is a perfect choice, with tracks like “Kissing You,” “Lullabye,” “A Million Ways” and the title track. How about some sultry Latin flavors? Try “Sunlight in My Rain” and the loungey, chilled out “Windows.” Do you like your Smooth Urban Jazz to have an unmistakable jazz sensibility to it? Check out “Jazzman Blues” or the Kenny Burke hit “Keep Risin’ to the Top.” PROMISE brings us all of that, and wraps it in a professional, top tier package of production and graphics. Every so often a release comes along that launches an artist almost instantly onto the fast track to stardom. Alex Lattimore’s PROMISE, to my ear, is just such an album. This one’s a keeper. I highly recommend it! ~SCOTT O’BRIEN / Smoothjazz.com

- SCOTT O’BRIEN / Smoothjazz.com