Al Williams: Press

The Hits Just Keep On Coming: Al Williams III serves up a sumptuous cover of "100 Ways" (Pacific Coast Jazz), on which his luscious tenor sax colors sparkle. Another hallmark is Williams' inspired instrumentation, not to mention John Stoddard's crisp production -- and the track is mastered meticulously, not too loud ...

"We are listening to beautiful music, extraordinary music, from Al Williams."

I think everyone can agree that music written and performed from the heart is always going to have the most impact on those who listen. Al Williams III has delivered just such an offering with his latest release, HEART SONG, a joyous and exuberant body of work that will entice and enchant from first note to last. No novice to the Smooth Jazz world, Williams’ versatile sax and flute talents have been showcased most notably with Stanley Clarke and Mongo Santamaria. JazzTimes has referred to his solos as having “poetic beauty;” indeed, and the beauty is front and center on HEART SONG. Leading off the collection, the title track is refined and enthralling, truly delivered straight from the heart. You won’t want to miss “Skyline Drive,” a tune so expressive and delightful that you won’t want the ride to end. A strong, seductive melody and some dramatic trumpet work from Aaron Broadus help to make “Midnight in Morocco” another of the album’s stand out tracks. As Williams’ himself states, “I look forward to experiencing and learning more about this wonderful human expression of music….” HEART SONG is bound to leave listeners longing to experiencing more from Al Williams III.

‘Heart Song’ is the latest offering from sax and flute man Al Williams III. Released on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, the album is produced by the multi talented John Stoddart and features eleven soulful tracks all underpinned by the some of the finest session payers around. This is Williams third solo project and follows his 1997 debut ‘Never Too Late’ and ‘See For Yourself’ which followed six years later. It signposts a continuation of what is now a decade long collaboration with Stoddart and is indicative of the depth of tone and a freshness of sound that Williams has cultivated during his many years of playing with greats like Stanley Clarke and Mongo Santamaria.
A native of Philadelphia, Williams was an original member of Stanley Clarke’s School Days Band and in his early college years also rehearsed with the early incarnation of Chick Corea’s Return to Forever. At that time the lineup was Corea, Stanley Clarke, Earl Klugh, Lenny White and Joe Farrell with Williams on saxes, flutes, oboe and bassoon. Later, Williams went on to tour, and record five albums, with Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. He appeared on Santamaria’s Grammy Award winning CD ‘Amanacer’ and Williams extended discography includes credits for his appearances with Nils Lofgren, Julia Nixon and Norman Connors.
‘Heart Song’ is a wonderful vehicle for Williams talents and with the help of several guests, including vocalist Ron Gutierrez and Spyro Gyra's Scott Ambush and Tom Schuman, he delivers a tunefully accessible collection that is often groove-driven, sometimes seductive and invariably melodic. Particularly pleasing is Williams sparse interpretation of Gershwin’s ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ and his beautiful cover of the Simply Red worldwide hit ‘Holding Back the Years’. Both demonstrate Williams's melody filled finesse while the irresistible groove of ‘Midnight in Morocco’, complete with a great performance on trumpet from Aaron Broadus, makes it a highlight of the entire album. Despite that, Smooth Jazz Therapy top tracks are the seductively smoky title cut and the luscious ‘Just Us’ where Williams on flute is a delight.
Williams stays with flute for the invigorating ‘Sun Dance’, finds a stunning vibe for the chilled out ‘I Never Thought’ and then delivers all the rhythm and melody you will ever need with his version of the much covered James Ingram hit ‘One Hundred Ways’. As for the guests, bassist Ambush and keyboard player Schuman lend their expertise to Williams funk tinged ‘Skyline Drive’ and Gutierrez takes ‘I'm Going to Love You’ deep into quiet storm territory. Drummer Eric Valentine and guitarist Michael Ripoll, together with bassists Alex Al, David Dyson and Chris Kent, all provide strong contributions but the biggest asset throughout is John Stoddart who excels as producer, composer and vocalist.
‘Heart Song’ is a gem of a collection and comes highly recommended. For more go to www.alwilliamsmusic.com or discover Pacific Coast Jazz Records at www.pacificcoastjazz.com

Saxophonist-flutist Al Williams III should land a lot of gigs on the smooth-jazz festival circuit this summer if his new CD, "Heart Song," gets the airplay it deserves. After all, fans of the genre may regard it as picnic-perfect.

With the help of several guests, including vocalist Ron Gutierrez and Spyro Gyra's Scott Ambush and Tom Schuman, Williams sails through this tuneful pop-jazz collection, conjuring moods sunny, seductive and groove-driven by turns. His versatility (on tenor, alto and soprano saxes, plus alto and C flutes) is certainly impressive. But unlike many of his peers, Williams is more interested in lyricism than in switch-hitting antics. His way with a ballad is particularly evident at the album's close, during a sparse, flute-limned interpretation of the Gershwins' "Someone to Watch Over Me." A cover of Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years" and other contemporary tunes are similarly distinguished by Williams's melodic finesse.

As for the guests, bassist Ambush and keyboardist Schuman help animate "Skyline Drive," a funk-tinted showcase for Williams's tenor, while crooner Gutierrez stirs up "quiet storm" atmospherics on "I'm Going to Love You." The biggest assist, though, comes from John Stoddart, who plays three significant roles: producer, composer and vocalist.

Contemporary jazz saxophonist Al Williams, for his third release, Heart Song, has put out a satisfyingly varied set of romantic and sultry tunes. Williams' spacious and thick tenor saxophone is most successful on the uncluttered and beautiful "Holding Back the Years" (featuring John Stoddart on keyboards and vocals), while he is also able to get the juices flowing on the lightly arranged and gently driving "Skyline Drive," which also features Scott Ambush and Tom Schuman on bass and keyboards respectively. Williams' flute is hauntingly reminiscent of Peruvian pan pipes on the joyously Latin-tinged "Sun Dance." His penetrating soprano saxophone is joined by the amazing keyboards of Stoddart, while Ron Gutierrez's velvety voice is well suited for the slow and delicately paced "I'm Going To Love You." Closing with a beautiful flute/piano duet on the comforting standard "Someone To Watch Over Me," Williams shows that "smooth" does not have to mean slick. Heart Song is good stuff for the ears.

This is the latest release from Pacific Coast Jazz.

Al has worked with some awesome musicians (like Stanley Clarke and Mongo Santamaria). Check out www.alwilliamsmusic.com. As you all can see I have learned a bit at this computer course I am doing at present.

Al’s sax playing has a Jazz-Crusaders feel…like two lovers adrift on a hot LA night. This music is very romantic.

I very much liked Aaron Broadus’ Randy Brecker-flavored trumpet, and Alvin Whites guitar soloing.

The words of the song “I’m Going to Love You” is light years ahead of what I have heard on many smooth jazz CDs. It is a story about a very special woman …her love for her man goes beyond space and time …into eternity…it is the same lovers 20 years down the road.

I really sat up and took notice of Al’s Herbie Mann/Hubert Laws influenced flute playing on “Sundance” ….a really beautiful Latin jazz number.

Al’s playing on flute and alto flute on “Just Us” was something else...the start of the love affair…the couple dancing close and slow…french kissing in the dark. She says “I am yours if you want me.”

“Someone to Watch Over Me” was pure Gershwin. John Stoddard on keyboards is sparkling behind Al’s flute playing…I really would like to review a straight-ahead jazz album by those two musicians.

Check out www.pacificcoastjazz.com

“What can I say…excellent production…a finely balanced CD. Love it”

We are in receipt of your exceptionally fine works 'Heart Song' and it is exquisite! A silky smoothness with such a wonderfully light and breezy sense of direction that is just not present with many. Not only do I find 'Heart Song' to be a delightful and appealing tune, 'Skyline Drive' and "Midnight in Morocco' have a style that has encouraged me to add the first three tracks to our play list. Thank you for sending your CD and thanks again for significantly contributing to our format.

OK, now that my iTunes is back up and running I’m enjoying this CD every day! Not as much as hearing you play in my living room, but almost.
The production is very clean and tight, open and uncluttered without being sparse. Your selection of vocalists and variety is great. And your sax is as beautiful as ever, just right even with the vocals.
Thanks for the CD – truly the gift that keeps on giving!

"If saxophonist Al Williams recorded “Never Too Late” to prove that he's just as talented as many of his better known contemporary jazz peers, he failed. Turns out he's a lot more talented than most."

“Al Williams has become known for masterfully potent musicianship with style. For the budding young wind players out there, he will be a source of inspiration and a mentor. For the rest of us, he will simply be Al Williams, the gifted, brilliant star…”

“Al Williams has a genuine desire to reach people with his music. His music looks right at you and is open and forthright.”