Music
Press
t's really hard to describe what makes this record so great. I often speak about the "rare treasure" of smooth jazz, and this CD is definitely one of those treasures you'll want to keep forever. Greger Hillman is a newcomer of smooth jazz and with just a little bit of publicity, he should be in the ranks of the great smoothers like Dave Koz, Jeff Kashiwa and Kirk Whalum. To give a simple example of how powerful this album will make you feel, just try the first track. That's right, "I Am Ready" really says it all for this incredible album. Not only does it have soul, but there's just that something (words cannot describe it) that makes this album an instant winner. If you're a regular listener of CIM Radio, you'll love this CD, because it is as simple as that. Again with great treasures, you can listen to them in any mood, whether you're feeling romantic, joyful or alone. Selected tracks from this album is now on airplay at CIM Radio. - CIMradio.com
Am Ready is the new smooth jazz CD from Swedish saxophonist Greger Hillman. Hillman is leaving the role of sideman to stand on his own with the ten original songs he wrote for this easy to listen to CD. Hillman has been on the scene for 20-plus years crafting his feel good sounds and with this release, Hillman is ready.
The title track “I Am Ready” sets the mood for the rest of the CD with Hillman’s smooth alto sax sounds. Blending in nicely is “Home At Last” again featuring Hillman’s alto sax, which surely references the journey back to his beginnings over 20 years ago. Sit back and close your eyes to the smooth ballad “Now You Know” as Hillman showcases his talent on the soprano sax as well as the grand piano. More of Hillman’s mellow sounds can be heard on the track “In These Arms Of Mine.”
There are more than ballads to this CD, however, as “Feels Good” and “Let’s Go Back” bring it up a notch and adds a little funk as Hillman excels on the tenor and soprano saxophones. “Can You Feel This” is a lively, but easy-listening melody, which is sure to make you do just that. Hillman ends with “Final Words,” once again showcasing his undeniable talent on the alto sax and grand piano. It will leave you feeling satisfied and relaxed, making this the perfect conclusion.
This is a definite feel good CD. All ten tracks on I Am Ready flow together effortlessly and work off of each other flawlessly. Hillman’s obvious talent and passion for smooth jazz is evident throughout enabling him to take his music far from his homeland of Sweden to places like Nashville, Texas and Los Angeles. More information on this artist can be found on his website.
review written by:
Susan Lozinak - Jazzreview.com
There are times when just describing the music and performance by a musician doesn't quite capture an album's total essence. Case in point, the enticing new release from Swedish sax man Greger Hillman. I AM READY outlines the future... he's ready to break through to Smooth Jazz stardom! It's top-level signature Smooth Jazz in every sense of the term. Lyrical, memorable melodies, all Greger Hillman originals... totally in-the-pocket performances and production from Mr. Hillman... the sense that through his twenty years of playing both in his native Sweden and internationally as well he totally gets what Smooth Jazz is all about... these are all components that together should insure his CD's success. But there's that other element that seals the deal. In Hillman's own words, "It's all about the feelings. My goal is to spread the positive vibe that can be found in these songs and that I feel when I play them... I wanted this record to have an overall happy sound." There it is right there... the secret to his upcoming success. The songs feel good, from the easy-going title track, whose melody is already locked in my head, to the gentler and passionate ballads, like "Baby I Love You," "In These Arms of Mine" and "Last Words." His playing reminds me of the more organic work of Warren Hill, Dave Koz, and, yes, Kenny G, especially on the soft, sweet "Now You Know." Greger Hillman's I AM READY is a great album of Smooth Jazz. I highly recommend it for your collection! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN - Smoothjazz.com
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
More info - gregerhillman.com
The name of the record, I Am Ready, implies on the musical journey this saxophonist and composer has been on for more than twenty years. Greger, who is a native Swede, has been playing professionally for many years and this record gives him the chance to step out of the role as sideman and to stand on his own, which he does very well. "I want my music to bring the listener a positive "feel-good" vibe, he says. Born and raised in Nyköping, Sweden, Greger has been playing all kinds of gigs with everyone from "local-Jim" to some of Swedens biggest stars. Greger has been fortunate enough to work on sessions with producers like Peter Wolf(Frank Zappa), Jason Scheff(Chicago) and Jimmy Haslip(Yellowjackets) among others.
Back home in Sweden Greger is working hard to bring Smooth Jazz out to the Swedes, which in most cases never have heard of the concept of Smooth Jazz. "It is a shame", Greger says and continoues, "I simply love the music, lifestyle and attitude of Smooth Jazz music and my aim is to open peoples eyes to my own little twist in the genre as well as spreading that "feel-good" vibe which, for me, the music is all about".
The album, I Am Ready , contains ten original songs written and produced by Greger. "Recording and doing gigs with many different musicians has left me knowing quite a few people in the business and I am really happy and proud to have many of my friends on this record", he says. The titlecut, I Am Ready , is a straightforward Smooth Jazz tune, which sets the mood for the rest of the record. The tune Home At Last reflects on Gregers musical career as he goes full circle coming back to the style of music which got him started playing the sax some twenty years ago. "Having studied Jazz, improvisation and composition and playing mostly jazz- and soul gigs for many years now, I wanted to go back to my roots to where it all got started, Greger says. Introduced to the music by his older brother who had been over to the United States in the mid-eighties, Greger could do nothing but surrender to the music. "I remember it like it was yesterday", he says.
"My brother gave me a tape of Kenny Gs album Duotones and I must have listen to it at least a thousand times, probably even more. I started practice like crazy as I also tried to get hold of more music in the genre. Even though my style of playing differs quite a bit from Kenny Gs I still wanted to get one song on the album which reflects upon that time in my life", Greger says. The song Baby I Love You embodies that smooth Kenny-sound with expressive playing from Greger on soprano saxophone.
The mix on the album is fresh and with tunes like Feels Good , which brings out the more funky side of Gregers playing, you cannot go wrong. The songs make sense and that "good-feeling" which makes you feel alright is all over this record.
Links
