Praful: One Day Deep (2003)

Brian Soergel

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2004

In addition to All About Jazz, Brian contributes to JazzTimes, smoothvibes.com, Smooth Jazz News, and SmartJock.com.

Recent articles (23 total)

Published: April 12, 2004

Praful, a German-born-and-raised wind instrumentalist (sax, flute, plus Rhodes and other stuff) now based in Amsterdam, has injected some much-needed punch into the sometimes tepid smooth jazz scene with his single “Sigh.” The whole CD is just as good, eleven acid/chill/smooth/funky songs that often defy description and show there’s plenty of room—and plenty of room—for innovative new music on radio. You know you’re in for something special when you hear moog, weird vocals and throaty sax during the opening song on the CD, “One Day Deep,” which gradually builds in intensity.

Praful’s Brazilian influences emerge on “Sonhar,” “Teardrop Butterfly” and “Inspiracao,” the latter featuring Lillian Vieria’s Portuguese vocals over flighty flute runs. “Let the Chips Fall,” the second single, is a funky ‘70s-like number featuring tenor sax mixed with Indian bamboo flute.

Groovy.

Going into too much detail about the rest of the recording is kind of like giving away too much of a movie. You need to experience this groovy, trippy and smooth disc for yourself.

Track Listing: One Day Deep; Sonhar; Inspiracao; Let the Chips Fall; Teardrop Butterfly; Morphic Resonance; Underworld; Sigh; Sinus Funktion; Corpo Suado; 196 Dawn

Personnel: Praful (tenor and soprano sax, flute, Wurlizter, vocals, percussion, Rhodes, keyboards, programming); Rob Gaasterland (moog bass, Rhodes, Wurlitzer); Dnaiel Testas (dub gear); Ted De Jong (tabla); Lillian Vieira (vocals); Jose Lopretti (bass); David Rothschild (trombone)

Style: Contemporary/Smooth