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Jay Leach: Cleared for Takeoff
Leach was Barry Manilow's guitarist at the peak of the singer's career in the late 1970s. From that experience, he gained a strong sense of what kinds of melodies move people. He wants his message to last, to go off with his audience and stay with them.
Justo Almario adds a lovely piccolo melody to "I Just Want to Celebrate to start things off. The small vocal choir adds a pleasant mood. The album's sultry title track, "Cleared for Takeoff, features Kirk Whalum's tenor saxophone with Leach's smooth guitar. On "Behind the Veil, synthesizers and a wall-to-wall surround sound form a mellow circle around Leach's guitar. His smooth textures lead to peaceful landscapes. "All the Heavens features pedal steel guitar, which allows the leader to express solemnly with a country & western sizzle. "Eternal Father closes the program with Tommy Morgan on harmonica and Leach on acoustic guitar with strings in solemn prayer.
These days, Leach plays contemporary Christian music. Of his goal, he says, "I want to make music that glorifies God and not music that perpetuates hate.
Track Listing
I Just Want to Celebrate; Cleared for Takeoff; Lovelight; Let
Personnel
Jay Leach: guitar; Abe Laboriel: bass; Chester Thompson: drums; Ritchie Gajate-Garcia: percussion; Alex Acu
Album information
Title: Cleared for Takeoff | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Playlist Record Company
About Jay Leach
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