U-Nam - Weekend In L.A (A Tribute To George Benson) '2012

Tracks list

Tracklist:

01. Weekend in L.A (feat. Andreas Oberg & Ronnie Foster) (8:16)
02. Give Me the Night (feat. Tim Tio Owens) (5:42)
03. Shiver (feat. Paul Jackson Jr & Tim Tio Owens) (6:28)
04. Love X Love (5:50)
05. Nature Boy (feat. Stokley Williams) (6:09)
06. This Masquerade (feat. Marcus Miller, Phil Perry, Tim Tio Owens, Jeff Lacey
& George Duke) (11:34)
07. Hip Skip (5:14)
08. I Just Wanna Hang Around You (feat. Tim Tio Owens) (5:37)
09. Turn Your Love Around (4:34)
10. Before You Go / Breezin (feat. Patrice Rushen) (8:14)
11. On Broadway (feat. Tim Tio Owens & Jeff Lacey) (9:20)



Rarely has one musician put down such a strong start as the guitarist originally
from Paris, called U-Nam. Out of nowhere, he surprised the connoisseurs of
smooth jazz scene with his albums The Past Builds The Future (2005), Back From
the 80s (2007) and Unanimity (2009). What unites all the albums is U-Nams ardent
admiration for the master of Smooth Jazz George Benson.

It begins with the partial selection of songs like Breezin M.A. or Mister GB and
ends with the choice of his instruments Ibanez Guitars. What could be more than
nails to do the job and create the ultimate tribute album Weekend In L.A. The
album was in the air with thunder inspired by his visit at Bensons home being
invited by his buddy Robbie (one of GBs son’s) and his impressions he
talked about in an interview lately.

U-Nam has cut the umbilical cord of the record companies and funded his new
project via Pledge Music. The album includes a mega-all-star line up of artists
and musicians including but not limited to George Duke, Marcus Miller, Paul
Jackson Jr, Phil Perry, Patrice Rushen, Stokley Williams ( Mint Condition ),Tim
TiO Owens, Wah Wah Watson, Andreas Oberg, Michael White, Dio Saucedo and many
more.

During the process of manufacturing I had the opportunity to take an inside view
at the new project, which will be soon available worldwide. The album begins
with Weekend In L.A. George Benson had released this Live album in 1977, a short
time after his groundbreaking album Give Me The Night. U-Nams rendition
overwhelms the listener with an abundance of guitar artistry.

Give Me The Night is with large distance Bensons No. 1 hit. It is missing on any
of his concerts. Under Unams hands, the piece explodes into a megahit. Singer
Tim “TiO” Owens has a major share of the goose bumps effect. Shiver
from Bensons album While The City Sleeps (1986) is pushed by Unam and Owens to a
contemporary hybrid of smooth jazz, pop and techno music.

Love X Love is following Unams principle to pump up the song into a showpiece.
Nature Boy comes massive featuring vocalist Stokley Williams, lead singer of the
band Mint Condition. Obviously it is the hard hip hop beat he likes and keeps
him swinging and sweeping.

Are there on the album also reflective moments? This Masquerade could be such a
dreamy ballade. But under the direction of George Duke and Marcus Miller also
this song progresses to a heavyweight. Hip Skip from Tony Williams album The Joy
Of Flying (1978) reveals how deep Unam has explored Bensons performing activity.
He develops the piece into a colorful carnival of jazz rock. A shout out to Wah
Wah Watson.

Singer Tim Owens transfers Bensons lyrical I Just Wanna Hang Around You from the
album 20/20 (1985) into the rough reality of the present. Unam had already
recorded Turn Your Love Around for his album Back From The 80s. His new approach
is bulkier with more verve and fire.

On the medley Before You Go / Breezin’ Unam lets the melody flow.
Nevertheless he cannot completely give up his fast guitar loops. However we can
laid back and enjoy the melody line. The album ends with On Broadway. A
bombastic blast featuring singer Tim “TiO” Owens, which will flash
every listener.

Unams upcoming album Weekend In L.A. demands the full attention of the listener.
There is no place for soft tones. Unam rides with flying colors to Bensons
throne. 

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