New Beginnings is the latest smooth jazz CD released by Gerald Albright. The title most likely coming as a result of a lot of new things in Albrights life including a new recording label and a new Colorado home.

The CD made it's debut at number one and there is very clearly a reason for that. It's simply an excellent collection and vintage Albright.

Contributors on the project includes an amazing line up of smooth jazz and music industry heavy hitters. Names like Jeff Lorber on guitar and keyboards, Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar, Patrice Rushen on piano and vocals, and the incomparable Chris Botti on trumpet. Plus a few other notables as well.

The CD launches with a great track, We Got The Groove, that will definitely be heard on smooth jazz radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. From there Albright proceeds to display why he is considered one the greatest smooth jazz artists of our time as he mixes his signature assertive, funky style throughout the CD. At points playing the flute, as well as alto, baritone and tenor sax.

Special notice should be given taken Gerald's High School friend Patrice Rushen's vocal contributions on track 7, New Beginnings.

It's also very easy to appreciate Chris Botti's input on track 11, Big Shoes.

Smooth jazz fans will want to keep an eye on the Albright, Lorber combination here. They really seem to have great musical chemistry.

Albright's rendition of Georgia On My Mind, track 5 has award winning capability. Remember you heard it here first.

I found track 9, Last But Not Least, to be one of those catchy tunes to which your toes just want to tap.

Overall New Beginnings is very good listening and is certainly a CD that smooth jazz fans, and fans of Gerald Albright in particular, will definitely want to add to their collection of smooth jazz CDs.

While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Deep Into My Soul [track 3], And The Beat Goes On [track 4], and Big Shoes [track 11]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1, We Got The Groove. Very nice!

Release Notes:

This CD was originally released March 28, 2006 on the Peak Records label.

CD track list follows:

1. We Got The Groove
2. New Beginnings
3. Deep Into My Soul
4. And The Beat Goes On
5. Georgia On My Mind
6. Take Your Time
7. I Want Somebody
8. You Are My Love
9. Last But Not Least
10. I Need You
11. Big Shoes
12. Georgia On My Mind (Reprise)

To hear samples of each song on this CD go to Gerald Albright - New Beginnings [ www.smoothlee.com/music-samples/gerald-albright-new-beginnings.htm ]

Clyde Lee Dennis, a.k.a. "SmoothLee" has been bumping around on the web since 1999 and is a self described "Web Head, and Life long AVID music fan". Smooth Jazz Music in particular. In addition to writing CD Reviews for I Love Smooth Jazz.com he is also the Program Director, and can be heard during his daily radio show which airs on one of the internets most listened to smooth jazz radio stations, Smooth Jazz 24/7