Ok. So you’re back at work. The high of being off of work for most of the last two weeks has worn off as coworkers are already tap dancing on your last nerve. Never fear, Regina Belle’s heavily slept on cd “Lazy Afternoon” can soothe even the most savage beast.
Regina Belle has successfully tried her hand at jazz stylings in the past, but on “Lazy Afternoon”, she treats us to an entire album of her style of jazz. The title track invokes a feeling of exactly what the title infers, falling backwards gently into a soft hammock during perfect weather. “Lazy Afternoon” includes ad libs of the classic “Summertime”. You will be almost immediately cradled into a mellow, Sade-like vibe. “Fly Me to the Moon” is not only the remake that you would expect, but also melds beautifully into “What Are You Afraid Of?”.
The remake of the Isley Brother’s “For the Love of You” includes an intro of “The Love I Lost”. “Moanin’” has a “church” feel, in the vein of a jazzy version of “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”. The collection closes with a rendition of “Try a Little Tenderness” from a woman’s point of view.
Even if you are still on vacation (lucky you!), “Lazy Afternoon” is excellent music to have in the background while you are cleaning your house or while you are hosting your latest house party. The even better news is that a new copy of “Lazy Afternoon” is currently available for less than $6. Prices change regularly, so pick this one up today. I’m headed to Amazon to buy a third copy for my car.
One thing is readily apparent when it comes to singer/songwriter/musician/producer Chris Walker, he is definitely a man about the music. An industry veteran who has done stints as a bassist in the bands of such Jazz Luminaries as Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Jimmy Heath, and Cassandra Wilson as well as serving as musical director for Regina Belle to his own solo work on First Time(which produced the top 5 hits “Take Time and Giving You All My Love”) and Sincerely Yours.
We recently chatted with Chris about his latest project Zone which contains the single “I Got That Love” that is currently doing very well at radio and online. Also there is a great cover of the Luther classic “If Only For One Night” on the set that I definitely recommend that you checkout.
In reading your bio there’s an incredible story about you leaving your home in Houston heading to New York City with a one-way ticket and $40 in your pocket to make your way into the music business. Take us back to that time period.
Basically during that time I was attending The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. I had been reading about various colleges across the country and the one school that everyone kept talking about was The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. So I sent out an application and the school denied my application because I did not have the funds to enroll. I was still determined and actually school was already a month in progress and so one day I walked into my parent’s kitchen with my bags packed and I said I’m moving to New York and my parent’s were like you’re doing what? They thought I was crazy but I told them that I’m going to New York and the only way I’m coming back to Houston is in a bodybag. (more…)
