Marion Meadows : Secrets

  Anthony Church - Saxophone
  Anthony Church - Saxophone
  Brian Chartrand - Vocals
  Brian Chartrand - Vocals
  Brian Keane - Guitar (Acoustic), Piano, Guitar (Electric), Keyboards
  Brian Morgan - Guitar
  Charlie Karp - Vocals
  Chip Shearin - Bass, Piano, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards
  Freddie Fox - Guitar
  Jay Rowe - Piano
  Jesse McGuire - Trumpet
  Jesse McGuire - Trumpet
  Johnny Britt - Trumpet, Vocals, Various
  Maria Meadows - Vocals, Vocals (Background)
  Marion Meadows - Clarinet, Saxophone, Sax (Soprano)
  Mel Brown - Bass, Guitar (Bass)
  Michael White - Drums
  Mike Broening - Keyboards
  Orly Penate - Percussion, Drums, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards
  Perry Hughes - Guitar
  Philip Hamilton - Vocals
  Rachel Eckroth - Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3
  Rachel Eckroth - Organ (Hammond), Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer
  Roberto Vazquez - Piano, Horn
  Sean Patrick Thomas - Vocals
  Steve 'Jabari' Kersey - Drums
  Ted Zimmerman - Trumpet
  Tony Verdejo - Percussion
  Tony Verdejo - Percussion
  Will Brock - Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Keyboard Bass

Marion Meadows has the talent and the chops to record a truly great album of improvisatory jazz, be it fusion, post-bop, hard bop, cool jazz, or soul-jazz. The soprano saxophonist did, after all, receive his education in jazz from heavyweights like Eddie Daniels, Norman Connors, and the late Joe Henderson. But regrettably, Meadows has spent most of his career catering to smooth jazz stations and offering lightweight background music. "Secrets", like so many formulaic smooth sax albums, has a strong Grover Washington, Jr. influence but generally lacks Washington's grit, edginess, or sense of adventure. There have been numerous Washington disciples in smooth jazz (from Najee to Dave Koz to Kenny G to the late George Howard), and most of them have played it much, much safer than their idol -- which is what Meadows does most of the time on "Secrets". Overall, this 2009 release is a decidedly conservative affair from Meadows, who plays mostly soprano sax but gets in some tenor sax and clarinet as well. But "Secrets" does have its moments. This CD contains a memorable version of Pat Metheny's Brazilian-influenced 'Here to Stay,' and 'The Shade Tree' (which is one of "Secrets"' vocal offerings) has an appealing, Michael Franks-ish quality. Also enjoyable is the Latin-tinged 'Sand Dancers.' So even though "Secrets" favors a by-the-book approach most of the time, Meadows occasionally lets loose and gambles with inspiration. One wishes, however, that he did it a lot more often. "Secrets" will probably be well received by the smooth jazz program directors that Meadows is going after, but he is capable of so much more. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

Saxophonist Marion Meadows is hiding something. Like a deft sleight-of-hand artist, there's always something up his sleeve that ultimately reveals itself when the music starts. Somewhere in those mysterious spaces between the notes, the simple treasures and universal truths are laid bare for those whose ears and minds and hearts are open to discover them. Meadows uncovers some of these hidden mysteries on Secrets. 12 tracks.