Top-selling saxophonist Kenny G has branched out in a new direction with the release of his latest CD Rhythm & Romance. The new set is his first for Concord Records in partnership with Starbucks after two decades with Arista Records. It's also his first CD in many years of mostly original material, and his first with a Latin music theme.
Kenny says that the parting with Arista's chief Clive Davis, who oversaw his many Number One albums, was amicable. He says that after years of recording cover tunes, such as those on his previous CD, I'm In The Mood For Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time, he was ready to return to his roots.
He explained: "I knew what I wanted, I always know, you know? In the last few years I think my music, or my brand if you will, has been a little diluted by doing too may cover tunes and I've lost a little touch with my roots and what I'm really all about as an artist, which is composing, writing, producing, recording, and playing and doing what I do best, and I want to get back into that. And I think this record really represents that."
Kenny re-teamed with producer Walter Afanasieff for the project, which features Fourplay bassist Nathan East and Latin percussionists Alex Acuna and Paulinho da Costa.
The theme of Rhythm & Romance is certainly fitting for Valentine's Day, but Kenny says he's not a notable romantic: "With my saxophone, I am, very romantic. Without it, I don't know how romantic I am. With my saxophone I can do wonderful things." He added that he plans to be in Southern California with his wife for a special Valentine's Day dinner with other couples.
The first single from Rhythm & Romance is the up-tempo "Sax-O-Loco."
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