26 Years

'Close the shades. Dim the lights. Mix yourself a fine martini (shaken, not stirred, of course) and relax in your favorite leather easy chair, 'cause it's time to get mellow and chill folks to this supremely soulful'n'soothing jazzy gem of an album. Kenny Simmons' divinely velvety vocals go down nice'n'easy. Nick Stefanacci's arrangements are tight, swingin', and harmonic, with zoned-to-the-relaxed-bone keyboards, smooth guitars, enchanting saxophones, and effortlessly percolating basslines make sure things sound every bit as cool, hip, and flat-out heavenly swank as they ought to from start to finish. Best of all, there's a comforting breezy quality to this fabulously funky and melodic, yet laid-back music that puts the listener in an extremely serene and content state of mind. An absolute treat.' THE WORLD ACCORDING TO WAWRZYNIAk Reviews by Joe Wawrzyniak Nick Stefanacci brings a bold new sound to contemporary Jazz. A cross-pollination of styles, this ambitious project gives light to a new generation of artists, composers, and listeners. The imagery and colors that Stefanacci imparts on cut across musical genres. This is one of those albums that will not only captivate audiences now, but also thirty years from now. Given Stefanacci's saxophone background, there was no way that his group would not prominently feature a horn section (the Tri-State Horns). With Stefanacci and studio icon Frank Elmo (Sting) on tenor saxophone, the Tri-State Horns seamlessly blend classic sounds with inventive and infective hooks. Vocalist Kenny Simmons (The Commodores) imbues the group with his inimitable energy and soul. Trumpeter Freddy Maxwell (Alicia Keys) has since joined NSB and is performing live with the hot band.