Justin Young - Blue Soul (2017)

Within a genre that is characterised by its aging demographic, sax-man Just Young, if not exactly youthful, remains one of the new breed of musicians tasked with the responsibility of bringing smooth jazz to a younger audience. Yet it was ten years ago when he first burst onto the scene with the excellent ‘On The Way’ that was mixed by Paul Brown and featured Tom Schuman, Tim Bowman and Gail Jhonson. A residency at the Seal Beach jazz hotspot Spaghettini followed as did the CD ‘Nothin’ But Love’ and now he is back with the outstanding ‘Blue Soul’.


The first single to be serviced to radio is the almost hypnotic ‘High Definition’ and another number that should garner generous radio play is the uplifting and intensely percussive title cut which in every respect is a top-notch slice of textbook smooth jazz

Elsewhere Jackiem Joyner writes both the moody ‘Sorrento’ and the extremely easy grooving ‘Always There’ which provides a velvety opening to a collection that serves as a perfect showcase for Young’s special brand of soul tinged contemporary jazz.

Talking of soul, Earth Wind & Fire legend Sheldon Reynolds (who first dipped a toe into the smooth jazz pond with Brian Culbertson) co-writes, and plays guitar on, the jazzily inspiring ‘Nothin But Love’ and later, as the tempo eases, Justin delivers the decidedly sultry ‘Sweet Release’. Young keeps it mellow for ‘Song For A Better Tomorrow’ that he writes with Eddie Miller (who can often be found playing Hammond B3 for Brian Culbertson) and although ‘Paradise Found’ is another song to tear at the heartstrings, of the slow jams, the wonderfully moody ‘Jazz Along The 101’ is extremely hard to beat.

‘India’ is where contemporary jazz meets the rhythms of the sub-continent from which the track takes its name. It is an indication that here is an artist who dares to be different but who also never looses sight of the commercial imperative, a fact born out by the sublime ‘Razzamajazz’ that, in the fullness of time, seems also destined for air-waves.

‘Blue Soul’ comes highly recommended.