Info
Should there be any doubt as to why over the course of a few short years in the mid- to late '80s David Benoit shot from relative obscurity to certifiable contemporary jazz superstardom, this diverse outing will quickly put it to rest. With Benoit's assistance, producer Don Grusin perfectly layers the many adventurous synthesizer riffs and lush orchestration here with Benoit's elegant acoustic piano. Grusin penned the most exciting track (if not one of the best cuts of Benoit's early career), the funky and melodic "Sailing Through the City," which features the high flying sax work of Eric Marienthal. Benoit either wrote or co-wrote the other eight tunes, ranging from the introspective "Looking Back" to the playful "Snow Dancing," but he really strikes pay-dirt on the title track, which has that unmistakable Benoit trademark, a mellow beginning and a rousingly upbeat finish. Also a lot of fun is the perky, spirited "Wild Kids," which he wrote with Grusin for a Charlie Brown TV special. With each new album, Benoit began taking new and inspired chances in the format's early days. On his previous album Every Step of the Way, it was the classically tinged "Rebach" and here it's "Sailing..." Fortunately, he knows just how to please, and so sticks for the most part to the magic touch he has displayed so formidably on the acoustic piano. When you hear a Benoit tune, you can instantly identify it. Such definition characterized his even greater output of the '90s. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
MP3 News Breakers: Britney, Urban, Simpson, Etheridge
Britney steps out, holds K-Fed contest; Urban enters rehab; Simpson eyes Studio 60; Etheridge partner has twins; Evans divorce turns ugly.
Britney Spears shows off new figure
The new-look Britney Spears.
After taking heat for most of 2006 for her looks, her parenting skills, and, most of all, her husband, Britney Spears made her first postpregnancy appearance in public yesterday to go on a shopping spree in Malibu. Having lost more than half the weight she gained after having two children one year apart, Spears has been reportedly shedding pounds without a personal trainer, popping pills, or a special diet. The pop star bought a reported 45 outfits at the Planet Blue shop in Malibu this week.
Spears is also trying to boost the sales of her husband Kevin Federline's forthcoming rap album, Playing With Fire, which hits stores October 31. She is sponsoring a contest where the fan who helps sell the most albums gets to party with the couple on Halloween, with the second prize being a pair of sneakers that Federline wore when he performed at the Teen Choice Awards in August.
Keith Urban goes to rehab
Keith Urban
Country singer Keith Urban said today that he has entered rehab for alcohol abuse. The singer issued a statement saying that he's been battling alcohol abuse and checked himself in last night with Nicole Kidman, his wife of four months, by his side. "I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me," Urban said in the statement. "One can never let one's guard down on recovery and I'm afraid that I have. With the strength and unwavering support I am blessed to have from my wife, family and friends, I am determined and resolved to a positive outcome."
Urban went to rehab in 1998 after a battle with cocaine addiction. In an interview with USA Weekend at that time, Urban said he sought help after "one night crawling around on my hands and knees, looking for these little rocks at five in the morning." All immediate appearances by the singer have been postponed. Urban is set to release his new album November 7.
Simpson to appear on Studio 60?
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson is reportedly set to perform on the NBC show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which follows a fictional late-night sketch comedy show. Simpson would appear on the show and perform as a musical guest of the fictional show, according to Life & Style magazine in the UK. Past musical guests on the show-within-the-show have been Sting and Three 6 Mafia. Simpson's spokesperson has denied the report, while a rep for Studio 60 told TMZ.com that the show does not have a Simpson appearance scheduled. Simpson, whose album A Public Affair suffered disappointing sales to date, appears in the new film Employee of the Month.
Etheridge, partner have twins
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge's partner, Tammy, gave birth to a boy and girl on Tuesday, according to a post on the singer's Web site. The twins, named Miller Steven and Johnnie Rose, "are in excellent health," the couple said. "The creation of life brings about immeasurable love, and pours hope into the future... The joy will help carry us through our upcoming sleepless nights." Melissa, 45, and Tammy, 31, exchanged commitment vows in a private ceremony in Malibu in September 2003. The twins are their first children together. Etheridge has two children, daughter Bailey Jean, 9, and son Beckett, 7, born to her ex-girlfriend Julie Cypher. They were conceived through artificial insemination with the help of friend and singer David Crosby.
Sara Evans saga gets messy
Sara Evans and husband Craig Schelske
Craig Schelske, the estranged husband of country singer and former Dancing With the Stars competitor Sara Evans, fired back at Evans today through court documents. Evans filed for divorce last week, reportedly charging Schelske with abuse, maintaining a library of pornographic images of himself and others, and having an affair with their nanny. In court documents obtained by TMZ.com, Schelske claims that Evans cheated on him and that he found out the day before she filed for divorce. TMZ reported that Schelske accused Evans of having an affair with Tony Dovolani, her partner on Dancing With the Stars. Evans and Dovolani have both denied the claim.
Just added
