Dee Lucas

DEE LUCAS | Remembrance | Mo Better Recordings, LLC
George Howard created one of the most distinctive sax sounds in Smooth Jazz and, as a result, became one of the most popular contemporary jazz performers of the 80’s and 90’s. His last album release was in 1998, the year in which he died of colon cancer. Six years later, a young, talented saxman from Atlanta has recorded a most impressive tribute to the musician who has been such a major influence on his style of playing. Dee Lucas has done a marvelous job of re-creating the instantly recognizable style and legacy of George Howard, while at the same time putting his own unique signature on each fresh, new performance of these George Howard classics. You’ll recognize them all, from the current radio favorite, “When Summer Comes,” to such evergreens as “Dancing In the Sun,” “When a Child Smiles,” and the one vocal on the album, a stunningly updated arrangement of “Love Will Conquer All,” featuring the voice of talented Thelma Hypolite.” If you’re a George Howard fan, this is a must-have album for your collection… - smoothjazz.com

DEE LUCAS Something to Ride 2 Mo Better Recordings
Wow, what a stunning follow-up to Dee’s outstanding George Howard tribute disc of a couple of years ago! When I reviewed “Remembrance,” I mentioned what an impressive job Dee had done in re-creating the distinctive George Howard style while putting his own unique signature on each tune. I was thinking to myself at the time that as good as that album was, I couldn’t wait to hear the next Dee Lucas project, when he performed music that he could truly make his own. SOMETHING TO RIDE 2 is that project, and my expectations have been exceeded. This album is rich, tasty, classy, and I could just keep adding positives! This truly is a first-rate collection of soprano sax-driven music, and it should indeed be a breakout release for Mr. Lucas. There’s not one throwaway track on this disc, with the hits “Bayou” and the cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” (including a bonus mix) in the forefront. Speaking of covers, Dee’s takes on Kem’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and Brian McKnight’s “Never Felt This Way” are exceptional. This is just a quality outing from first note to last… smooth and mellow, with an understated urban funk groove as a foundation. I told you that “Remembrance” was a “must have.” Dee Lucas’ new one, SOMETHING TO RIDE 2, is absolutely in the same category, and I expect it to propel him to the forefront of the Smooth Jazz format. You will fall in love with this album! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN
- Scott O'Brien/Beth Lewis

Something To Ride 2

Dee Lucas didn’t pick up the saxophone until he was twenty-eight years old. And yes, there is a story behind that. “Isn’t that an oddity?” Well … yes. Yes it is. “You know, the mentality of my family was [that] you either played sports or you played in the band because ‘we can’t afford both.’ And where I came from, you played sports. So, I played sports. However, I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to study music. But, I didn’t have that opportunity.”

Lucas entered the musical arena from a different juncture than most. “After graduating college, I moved here to Atlanta. I had reached a particularly dormant time in by life while working the nine-to-five and after breaking up with my college girlfriend, I had some down time and I picked up the saxophone. I started studying the sax, relying on my listening skills. When I would go out, I began paying attention to horn players that I admired around the city and the combination of listening to Grover Washington, Jr. and George Howard on CD, along with the local cats, was enough to get me going. I guess the rest is kind of like history, so to speak.” BREAK OUT

With discipline and determination, during his short but fast-growing career, Lucas has gained a level of skill and proficiency on the sax that commands the respect of both listeners and fellow artists. “At twenty-eight, I wasn’t trying to find myself. I knew what I wanted. I could see it. I had to work harder to get what I wanted and I definitely appreciate where I am. But, from an artist standpoint, with age, you start developing your own sound and that is the ultimate goal of any artist, to have his own unique sound.”

And, what is his unique sound? “My uniqueness comes from my phrasing and a lot of it is my tone.” Lucas’ music is heart-centered and a spirit connection is established between he and the listener.

Lucas performs in various venues and has been the opening act for such artists as Roy Ayers, Hugh Masakela, The Gap Band, Lalah Hathaway, and Nneena Freelon. He has performed at jazz festivals and in concert halls with the likes of Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Greg Karukas, Warren Hill, Boney James, Chris Botti, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Ronny Jordan, Gladys Knight, and Nancy Wilson. Ahhh man, this list can go on and on and … you get the picture. The dude plays with the heavy hitters of jazz.

In 2004, the sax man released his debut CD, Remembrance on his newly formed record label, Mo Better Recordings, and it was a well-deserved tribute to the late George Howard. As an independent release, Remembrance received stunning reviews and airplay from over 115 radio stations. And, in April of this year, Mo Better Recordings released Lucas’ much-anticipated sophomore CD, Something To Ride 2. This project brings to the listening table melodies that harmonize with life and living. Something To Ride 2 does not intrude upon ones world to the point of distraction, yet you know that the music is there. Hello. Each track is beautifully arranged and complement’s Dee’s whimsical horn. This record is sweet. The musical fare includes the infectious hit, Kem’s I Can’t Stop Loving You, Brian McKnight’s Never Felt This Way, and two fresh interpretations of Herbie Hancock’s 1973 classic, Chameleon, as well as original tunes co-written by Lucas (Bayou, Reconcile, Method to the Madness and Nothing That I Do). “The concept for this recording was to create groove oriented music that everyone could enjoy …I wanted to make music to ride 2. And I think I did that.”

- AbyssJazz Magazine

Dee Lucas - Something To Ride 2

‘Something To Ride 2’ is the brand new CD from Atlanta born and based saxophonist Dee Lucas. Available from April 16 through the independent label Mo Better Recordings it is a superb example of some of the best urban smooth jazz you will hear all year and follows his 2004 debut ‘Remembrance’. This homage to the great George Howard was greeted with stunning reviews, garnered extensive airplay and laid the foundation for prominent engagements to open for artists such as Roy Ayers, Hugh Masakela, The Gap Band and Lalah Hathaway. All the more remarkable is the fact that this 40-year-old self-taught musician did not pick up the sax until the age of 28.

With six original compositions and three classy covers the album is all about the smoky direction in which smooth jazz is currently moving. At times Lucas deliciously edges the genre into the long grass of top notch R & B but with the catchy title track and the radio friendly ‘Bayou’ he is firmly in smooth jazz territory. Equally silky, and with that certain Dee Lucas vibe, is ‘Into The Night’. Mellow and right in the pocket the track is an absolute joy and although Dee keeps it smooth for the edgy ‘Reconcile’ the mid tempo ‘Method To The Madness’ proves that he can get funky too. It benefits hugely from his own warm playing and the keys of Karey Davis who also produces and remains excellent throughout.

When Lucas turns to the much covered Herbie Hancock classic ‘Chameleon’ he delivers a six minute plus epic that is moody in the extreme and when later in the album he reprises it as a bonus remix the featured bass of Joel Powell gives the tune a whole new dynamic. Dee’s interpretation of the Brian McKnight number ‘Never Felt This Way’ results in a slice of romantic smooth jazz for lovers while just as tender is Kem’s ‘I Cant Stop Loving You’. Velvety and sensuous with subtle horns from Cedric Young the song is guided by picture perfect vocals from Jason Sylvain. It’s a personal favorite but just as good is the original composition ‘Nothing That I Do’. Fashioned around a cool vocal from Terri Carroll and built on a sultry vibe that is straight from the street this is where urban jazz meets quiet storm to sensational effect.

‘Something To Ride 2’ is a real delight and without doubt will find its way into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty of 2007. For more information go to www.mobetterrecordings.com

- Smooth Jazz Therapy