Read The Reviews . . .
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"Urbanized", sure to be rated one of the best CD's of this very young year of 2005. ....is without question, a prime time player based on the contents of this extraordinary CD."
A.Khalis Pride
http://www.contemporaryjazz.com
http://www.thejazznation.com
"has a groove that's plenty jazzy too!
some of the best numbers on the album take us back to the 70s soul jazz years -- particularly those when players were mixing acoustic and electric instrumentation, yet doing so in a warm and open manner
the kind of spacious-grooving approach to rhythm that we remember from our favorite Rodney Franklin or Bob James records, or a few of the electric Kenny Barron sets."
http://www.dustygroove.com
"with shades of Bob James, Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy Smith on the keyboards ... Its hard to find a poor track on this set which will definitely appeal to all Smooth Jazz fans... the title track Urbanized which also has a killer electric piano solo reminiscent of George Duke... Bob Malach shines on Tenor Sax, Vinnie Cutro play the fine trumpet work... this excellent recording which is easy on the ears and just perfect for your car stereo for the summer of 2005"
http://www.euroclubdejazz.com
"It is a multitude of styles mixed together that would find a home in any jazz nightclub, city street corner or your own living room. He is a stalwart composer and musician..
Every track offers the listener a different mood to free fall into, to feel enveloped by its ambiance.
The delicate balance of past inspirations and todays energies works out beautifully on this album. The end game is players perform to their highest levels without compromise and it makes this a consistently enjoyable release. It is inspirational for anyone that desires to create something in the same way."
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
http://www.jazzreview.com
http://www.ejazznews.com
http://www.evolvingartist.com
"Mike Di Lorenzo is Smooth Jazz at its' highest quality. Makes you wonder why this top-notch musician has not been signed to a recording deal.
disc that will win the respect of jazz lovers all round, you have the modern smoothness of today,(Fourplay and Roy Hargrove) and the staples of the past like the flattering hints of the Blue Note and Soul Jazz.
Urbanized is a catchy, melodic, and funky record that will satify your need to groove.
Urbanized becomes tastier with each listen, If you are fans of early Bob James, David Sanborn, Roy Hargrove, or Fourplay then you will love Mike Di Lorenzo. "
Reviewed By
Maurice Edwards
http://www.eomentertainment.com
"Di Lorenzo's music contains an atmospheric mix of harmonically fresh grooves and the textures of contemporary jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop, Smooth, R&B and what he calls New York Chill.
Mikes piano solos and phrasings are simply flawless.
I dig Di Lorenzo's playing style; he should indeed draw well-deserved attention not only his playing but also his overall composition and production savvy.
I love Di Lorenzo's use of the Rhodes piano, meshed with his keyboard work is superb.
Producer, composer, keyboardist and production specialist Mike Di Lorenzo has conjured up with Urbanized a near perfect blend of hypnotically fresh grooves thats coupled with a rapture of sultry and relaxing smooth jazz thats design for those seeking to discover a new voice called New York Chill from his own unwavering musical perspective."
http://www.smooth-jazz.de
"I had the priviledge of reviewing an artist who not only surpassed mediocre but he had a dominant uniqueness. I shouldn't have to tell you how difficult that is in the smooth jazz field.
...you will find yourself playing repeatedly. . .
Di Lorenzo apparently knows who to bring to the jam because his bandmates make you feel like you're on the stage . . .
If you miss this one you'll be out of loop."
SJM
http://thejazzartistsnetwork.com
With such experience and expertise one would expect the product to be good and it's all of that and more...
...one element that the publicity fails to pick up on is the originality of some of the music and the virtuosity that Mike Di Lorenzo brings to it.
The CD is generously endowed with stand out tracks and none more so than 'Motified', a groovy number with Latin influences rumbling beneath Di Lorenzo's hallmark keyboards...
Mike Di Lorenzo seems to have pulled it off and, into the bargain, provided what is likely to be one of the more engaging releases of 2005.
by Denis Poole. April 2005.
www.smoothjazznow.com
"For those not from the Big Apple, the home of Sex and the City, Mikes Urbanized is just the soundtrack one needs to capture that New York City feel - complete with sass, style and seduction."
Kristi Singer
2005-03-30
http://www.reviewyou.com/
