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Take a spin with Golden Graham's choice album reviews

 

Johnny Hooper Johnny Hooper

Secret Jewels

CDJRH9

 

I first heard saxophonist Johnny Hooper playing in the Albufeira old town square on the Algarve, Portugal where he could be found a couple of morning a week entertaining the holiday makers and also at a nearby restaurant The Cave at the weekend.

Secret Jewels is the new release from Hooper containing 12 tracks and recorded in November 2003 in Pontypool, Wales. A well-produced album of instrumentals, we find Johnny Hooper playing alto sax, Carl Simmonds (who also produced and engineered the recording) on keyboards, Hywel Maggs - guitar and backing vocals are also provided by Alex McIlquham.

The opening title track composed by Hooper features the stark alto sax with a gentle string styled undertow keenly created by Simmonds' fine keyboard playing. Johnny and the boys give a stunning interpretation to Miles Davis' modern jazz creation "So What" creating an infectious and intoxicating rendition of the number. The slow styled "Try A Little Tenderness" offers one of the best tracks on the album with searing sax solos and wicked riffs that contrasts ideally with the stunning and gentle piano solo from Simmonds. The Carol King/James Taylor composition "You've Got A Friend" is given a stylish interpretation with soft backing vocals from Alex McIlquham offering an easy C D Covergentle relaxing style.

Other tracks to look for include a sensational version of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man", a well-performed adaptation of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" and a groovy version of Randy Alpert's "Rise". Secret Jewels satisfies the appetite, makes its mark and pleasures the senses with a riveting rendition of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria" bring this fine album to its close.  Secret Jewels blends exquisite pop songs with the fine world of jazz.

Moving in music circles Johnny Hooper is an excellent sax player with an abiding passion and can be found in the UK during January and February playing selective gigs in the South of England and South Wales areas. If you have the opportunity to catch Johnny playing in your area don't miss his performance. 
For more information visit www.johnnyhooper.com 

 


 

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