Reviews


These listings are reprints of writings from various sources that refer to recordings released by Horace Alexander Young or his work as a supportive artist on the recordings of others.

Insound.com
Acoustic Contemporary Jazz (CD)
Horace Alexander Young

Some jazz purists believe that smooth jazz musicians are playing smooth jazz because they don't have the chops to play straight-ahead jazz, but the problem with most smooth jazz musicians isn't a lack of chops. Actually, many of them have fine chops but purposely dumb their recordings down because they would rather make money than struggle, which is not to say that commercial appeal and artistic integrity are mutually exclusive. Some smooth jazz releases are devoid of integrity, while others make an effort to balance commercial and creative considerations -- which is what saxophonist/flutist Horace Alexander Young often does on Acoustic Contemporary Jazz. Offering both smooth jazz and soul-jazz, this 61-minute disc is a mixed bag. Young is at his worst when he goes out of his way to pander to smooth jazz/NAC radio; his saccharine cover of Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father," for example, takes him into Kenny G/Dave Koz/Richard Elliot/Najee territory. Acoustic Contemporary Jazz, which Young produced with keyboardist/bassist Travis Milner, has a few other throwaways as well; the more Young plays elevator music, the more he sells himself short. But when Young lets loose, improvises, and doesn't pander to smooth jazz/NAC programmers, listeners can hear what he is capable of. Young brings good soul-jazz instincts (of the Hank Crawford/David "Fathead" Newman/Stanley Turrentine/Grover Washington, Jr. variety) to the table on Milner's gospel-flavored "Glory to His Name" and Abdullah Ibrahim's "Joan-Capetown Flower." Another high point of the CD is "Danny Boy," aka "Londonderry Air," which includes some bagpipes (thanks to E.J. Jones) and successfully fuses Celtic music and soul-jazz. This is definitely an uneven album, but it has it moments -- and if Young can forget about Kenny G, Koz, Najee, etc., and concentrate more on the Crawford/Newman/Washington/Turrentine side of things, he just might deliver an album that is consistently strong instead of erratic.

Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Excerpt from www.jazzrendevous.com
Acoustic Contemporary Jazz
Reviewed by Eric Alan on 2008-08-27

This talented sax and flute player come up with the goods that will please many a contemporary jazz fan. Although many in sunny South Africa may not have heard of him as yet, look out for him his music really grooves and gets the feet-a-tapping. I hate the word, cover as it is so demeaning to the music and the ability of the musician concerned, I use the word standard/s so here goes, Lurther Vandross' Dance With My Father Again tugs at the hearts strings be it the original vocal version or this instrumental one, this truly one of those great songs that instantly became a standards. The other is a version of our very own, Abdullah Ibrahim’s Joan-Cape Town Flower from his Cape Town Flower album of a few years ago. The track has a great organ opening intro gives it a very spiritual soul feeling like I’ve not heard before. The young man, pardon the pun, has a very velvety smooth and silky technique that is really pleasing to the listener and entices the listener into his world. Get in to his world, check out his website and get a copy of Acoustic Contemporary Jazz as soon as you can.



Excerpt from “THE JAZZ POLICE”
Monday, 08 January 2007
Jack Prybylski: Window Shopping (Sushan Records, 2006)

Contributed by Joe Montague

“Window Shopping” was co-authored by Prybylski and Horace Alexander Young. Young’s large instrumental vocabulary is evident as he helped co-write two additional tunes “Santa Faustina” and “I Need You”. Young is not only a composer, but he is also adept in woodwinds, keys and percussion.

Excerpt from “SMOOTH JAZZ VIBES”
The place to go if you are a fan of contemporary jazz or smooth jazz
June 28, 2006
What We're Listening To * June

Contributed by Brian Soergel

Horace Alexander Young, Acoustic Contemporary Jazz (Pacific Coast Jazz): You’ve got to hand it to Horace Alexander Young, a saxophonist and flutist who believes in truth in advertising. It’s also smooth, urban jazz with a hint of gospel and a compelling version of Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father.”

Smoothjazz.com Review
June 16, 2006
Reviewer: Sandy Shore (Monterey, CA)

Heck yes there's room for another great saxophonist in Smooth Jazz! Make way for HAY, Horace Alexander Young... Actually, Young is a multi-instrumentalist who plays various saxophones and flutes on ACOUSTIC CONTEMPORARY JAZZ. What's all the Hub Bub? The artist has toured, recorded and performed with the likes of B.B. King, Bill Withers, Jonathan Butler, The Temptations and Norman Brown to highlight but a few. This charismatic performer comes on strong with his lively new release featuring some A-List players including platinum-selling recording artist Johnny Kemp, guitarist Dwight Sills, pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs, and former lead singer for Tower of Power, Brent Carter. A smooth ride from start to finish ACOUSTIC CONTEMPORARY JAZZ tracks with flow and sophistication... The CD leads off with a sweet and sincere version of the Luther Vandross ballad, "Dance With My Father," and it continues on through well-crafted originals and well-chosen covers including the rich and moving "Joan-Capetown Flower," written by Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand). Smoothjazz.com Radio is featuring the bright and hip, "So Special" featuring Horace's sax work in a true Smooth Jazz spotlight and some very fun and catchy vocal stylings tossed in for spice - We love it. Take note, Horace Alexander Young is in the building!
~SANDY SHORE

Billboard Magazine
September 3 1996
Horace Alexander Young, from “Heart’s Desire”, Design Records
Larry Flick, Reviewer

Young is a promising and charismatic performer whose playing reflects sharp saxophone skills and a knack for caressing melodies.
- Larry Flick